Narcissus  (Narcissus longispathus)

Narcissus longispathus is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List (1).

Commonly known as daffodils, the characteristic trumpet- or funnel-shaped flowers of the Narcissus genus are often considered as heralds of spring (2), and Narcissus longispathus is no exception. A perennial species, Narcissus longispathus produces a large, single flower, which has a distinctive pale greenish-yellow perianth. This  consists of three petals and three sepals, and a bright yellow corona (3) (4).  

Like other members of the Narcissus genus, Narcissus longispathus emerges from a bulb, an underground storage organ from which the roots and shoots develop. The linear, strap-like, stalkless leaves of Narcissus longispathus develop from the base of the plant, and the flower is borne on a long, leafless flower stalk known as a scape (3) (5). The ovary of the plant is usually concealed underground, but during fruiting the scape elongates, pushing the developing capsule to the surface (5).  

Narcissus longispathus is endemic to Andalusia in the south-eastern Iberian Peninsula, Spain. It is has a wide but fragmented distribution in the mountain ranges of Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas (1) (3) (4), as well as in the Castril, Mágina and Jaén Mountains (1) (3).

A mountain inhabitant (6), Narcissus longispathus occurs in scattered populations in wet meadows and grasslands, along the margins of creeks and streams, in watersheds and river valleys, and close to lakes, ponds and other sources of permanent water (1) (3) (6).

This species is typically found in association with Scirpus holoschoenus, Holcus mollis, Piptatherum veriaean, and Eleocharis nigricans (1). It usually occurs at elevations of 1,000 to 1,500 metres (7).

The bulbs of Narcissus longispathus begin to sprout leaves and floral scapes in late February. Each individual bulb produces one scape, which bears a single, distinctive, bright yellow flower that blooms between March and late April to early May. The flower lasts for around 17 days (3) (4) (8).

The flowers of Narcissus longispathus are ‘self-compatible’, meaning that the flowers may be pollinated using pollen from the same flower, or from another flower on the same plant. More frequently, however, Narcissus longispathus is pollinated by small, solitary bees, such as Andrena bicolour, which inadvertently transfer pollen between different plants as they forage (4) (6) (8).

Narcissus longispathus develops fruits between April and May, which are usually shed by early June. The seeds are buoyant and have a thick coating, which means that while most seeds fall directly to the ground beneath the parent plant, some seeds may be dispersed by water (4). The flowers and fruits of Narcissus longispathus are often eaten by the caterpillar larvae of Trigonophora flammea, and by beetles such as Tropinota squalida (8).

Changes in the water regime are one of the biggest threats to Narcissus longispathus, either through natural causes such as drought, or through artificial modification including the construction of dams and roads. Some subpopulations of Narcissus longispathus are vulnerable to trampling and grazing by herbivores, while wild populations are also targeted by collectors (1) (3).

Narcissus longispathus is present in several National Parks, including the Parque Natural de Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas, and the Parque Natural Sierra de Mágina (1) (3).

Seeds from some of this species’ populations are stored in the Vegetal Andaluz gene bank and at the Botanical Garden of Torre del Vinagre (1). The Botanical GardenofCórdobaalso holds material in their ex-situ gene bank and is researching ways to improve methods of propagating the species (3).

Further recommendations for conservation of Narcissus longispathus include increasing the number of seeds and plants that are held ex-situ, to expand the genetic variability of the resources (3).

There is also a recovery plan in place for Narcissus longispathus (1). 

Find out more about Narcissus longispathus:

• Blanca, G. et al. (Eds.) Libro Rojo de la Flora Silvestre Amenazada de Andalucía. Tomo I: Especies en Peligro de Extinción. Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Junta de Andalucía, Sevilla. Available at:
  http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/web/Bloques_Tematicos/Publicaciones_Divulgacion_Y_Noticias/Documentos_Tecnicos/Libro_rojo_flora/Libro_rojo_TomoI/Narcissus%20longispathus_Quercus%20alpestris.pdf(In Spanish)

Find out more about plant conservation:

• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew:
  http://www.kew.org/index.htm