Narcissus vs. Daffodils
Brian Whyer (Mon, 22 Mar 2004 03:50:39 PST)
The Oxford English Dictionary references Daffodil to Affodil, i.e.
asphodel, with the addition of the D as unknown.
Brian Whyer, zone 8'ish, Buckinghamshire, England
Where cold weather in February and March has held some species narcissus
flowers in suspended animation for 7 weeks or more.
I did find a reference to the legend of Persephone, where she is said
to
have picked Daffodils in one of the valleys near the gates of Hades,
but I
found no concrete ground for the interpretation and question it's
authenticity. Surely, the passage exists, but it refers to Affodilus
(asphodelus), which could be connected....or not! It seems strange
that, in
one Myth, Narcissus are the daffodils sprung from the self-enamoured
boy-hunter, while Persephones blossoms are Affodilus, which may refer
to
Jacob's Rod (Asphodeline lutea). There is a reference, as in soooo
many
floral legends, that the flower now hangs its head in shame! Hmmm.
Affodil? Could be.