Daffodils belong to the genus Narcissus, a group of predominantly spring-flowering perennial plants in the Amaryllidaceae family. The question of how many types exist is complex, as the term “type” can refer to a wild species, a named garden variety, or a structural category. The genus is extremely diverse, encompassing approximately 50 to 80 wild species, primarily native to Europe and North Africa. Centuries of cultivation have led to the creation of over 26,000 registered cultivars, which are the named varieties found in gardens and nurseries. A standardized classification system is necessary to organize this vast array of hybrids and natural forms.
The Official Classification System
The standardized classification system for daffodils is governed internationally by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). This framework separates all members of the genus Narcissus into 13 primary categories, which are called Divisions. Divisions 1 through 12 are reserved exclusively for named cultivars and garden hybrids, which are the varieties developed and registered by breeders.
Division 13 encompasses all species of Narcissus and any wild variants and natural hybrids. Cultivars that do not fit the criteria of the first 11 divisions are placed into Division 12, labeled as “Other Daffodil Cultivars”. The system includes major categories like Trumpet, Large-cupped, Small-cupped, Double, and Poeticus daffodils. It also accounts for divisions based on species parentage and specific flower characteristics, such as Triandrus, Cyclamineus, Jonquilla, Tazetta, and Bulbocodium types.
Key Features Defining the Divisions
The primary factor determining a daffodil’s placement into one of the first three divisions is the proportional measurement of its flower parts. A daffodil flower consists of two main parts: the outer perianth segments, often called petals, and the central cup or trumpet structure, known as the corona. These measurements are taken when the flower has fully matured.
Division 1 (Trumpet Daffodils) is defined by having a corona that is at least equal to or longer than the length of the perianth segments. Division 2 (Large-Cupped Daffodils) features a corona that is more than one-third the length of the perianth segments but shorter than the segments themselves. Division 3 (Small-Cupped Daffodils) is characterized by a corona that measures less than one-third the length of the perianth segments.
Other divisions are defined by unique morphological traits and the number of flowers per stem. Division 4 (Double Daffodils) is identified by having extra petal-like segments. Divisions like the Tazetta (Division 8) typically bear multiple, fragrant flowers on a single stout stem. Triandrus Daffodils (Division 5) are known for having two or more pendant blooms per stem, often with petals that reflex, or bend backward.
Understanding Daffodil Naming Conventions
Once a new variety is registered, its classification is conveyed through a structured naming convention designed for clarity. A daffodil cultivar is identified by its Division number, followed by the cultivar name, such as 2. ‘Ice Follies’. This number immediately informs a grower about the flower’s structural characteristics, like the Large-cupped size of ‘Ice Follies’.
A color code is appended to the classification, providing a visual description of the flower at maturity. This code uses letters separated by a hyphen, where the letter(s) before the hyphen describe the perianth segments, and the letter(s) after the hyphen describe the corona. The accepted color letters include W for White, Y for Yellow, O for Orange, P for Pink, G for Green, and R for Red.
For example, 1 Y-Y indicates a Division 1 (Trumpet) daffodil with a Yellow perianth and a Yellow corona. More complex color patterns use multiple letters to describe the color zones of the corona, which are divided into three areas: the base, mid-zone, and rim. A classification of 3 W-GYR denotes a Small-cupped daffodil with a White perianth and a corona that is Green at the base, Yellow in the middle, and Red at the rim.