Flower of the Poets - Narcissus
By marilyn_cameron
- 363 reads
A bulb native to Europe, the Mediterranean region, and W. Asia;
strap shaped leaves; solitary flowers on a long stalk, central trumpet
or cup (the corona), surrounded by six "perianth" - segments, white,
yellow, or pink; the corona often contrasting. Horticulturally a
division is made into daffodils, and narcissi. Many species and
numerous cultivars are grown in gardens and in market gardens for
florists.
The name Narcissus is derived from the Greek word, narke, signifying
"torpor", in reference to the narcotic properties of the plant. Homer
states that, although the Narcissus "delights heaven and earth by its
beauty, yet at the same time produces stupidity, madness and even
death."
One legend tells of Pluto, causing the flower to spring up in order to
lure beautiful Persephone from her home. "A thing of marvellous blossom
it was, and a glory to all beholders, both immortal gods and mortal
men." And as she stoops to gather the fragrant bloom, the whole plain
quakes and trembles. Suddenly from the earth rises Dis, seizes the
terrified Persephone, and places her in a waiting chariot, whose coal
black horses bear her away down into the gloomy kingdon of which she
became the queen.
In France, where the Narcissus is found in a wild state, with petals
ethereal white, it is popularly known as Jeanette-blanche, and its
yellow sister is known as Jenette-jaune.
The Narcissus was given to Venus, owning to its beauty and fragrance,
and is noted as one of the blossoms in which the goddess bathed, in
order to enhance her charms in the eyes of Paris, when competing with
Juno and Diana for the golden apple, a prize of beauty.
According to Greek legend, the beautiful youth Nemises is responsible
for the origin of Narcissus. Nemises so loved his own reflection in the
stream, he slipped into the water and was drowned. When weeping Echo
and her sister nymphs prepared the funeral urn for the beloved youth,
they found his body missing. He was metamorphosed into a flower,
Narcissus. Heartbroken Echo so loved Nemises, that she wasted away to a
voice.
The narcissus poeticus, whose exquisite blooms were deemed worthy to
crown the brows of the goddesses with stars, has always been a
favourite of the poets, amongst them Keats and Shelley.
Thank you for reading this article, if you have any comments, or would
like me to write about your favourite flower, please e-mail me
Marilyn.Cameron@btinternet.com
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