Know More about Narcissus – The December Flower

Narcissus is known as the official flower for December month. It is a perennial plant that belongs to the amaryllis family. They are native to southern Europe, North Africa, the Western Mediterranean, and particularly the Iberian Peninsula. The genus of narcissus appears in Graeco-Roman literature and it is said that narcissus was first described by Theophrastus. Apart from the cheerful and gorgeous looks, this flower also carries amazing medical properties. There are many such interesting facts that you perhaps don’t know about narcissus. Read below and learn more such interesting facts about Narcissus- the December flower:

1. You must have heard about daffodils- right? Many people confuse Narcissus with daffodils and many even say that they are the same flowers. But daffodils fall under this category of narcissus genes so you can say that daffodils are a type of narcissus flower.
2. If you love this flower and want to grow it in your garden then you should know that this flower secretes a sap that is visible once you cut the stems. This sap is poisonous to other flowers and that’s why you should not place daffodils in the same vase where other flowers are kept. Or, you can wait for a day after cutting it and mixing it with other flowers.
3. Do you know that narcissus is known as lent lilies in England?
4. The name narcissus has a bit of history in Greek mythology. Narcissus was an attractive young hunter. He himself was obsessed with his amazing handsome looks. One fine day, he was gazing closely at his reflection on a pond. To have a better look, he leaned closer ad drowned himself in the pond. In some western culture, thus, narcissus stands for vanity.
5. In general, narcissus symbolizes wealth, good fortune, and hope but the meaning varies from culture to culture. In Chinese culture, this flower symbolizes new beginnings and is given on the occasion of Chinese New Year- because narcissus is the first flower to bloom in the spring season. In Kurdish culture, this flower symbolizes New Year while in the Victorian era, it meant rarity.
6. Narcissus is the flower that has become an emblem for cancer societies across the world.
7. This flower is used as a prime ingredient in perfumes apart from essential oils.
8. It’s delightful to learn that the French people used the flowers as an antispasmodic while the Arabs used its oil to treat baldness and also an aphrodisiac.
9. This flower has also been found as a great agent to cure wounds, strains, and painful joints apart from its use as a decongestant and for the relief of dysentery in the form of a syrup or infusion.
10. The bulbs of this flower are used to prepare homeopathic medicine that treats whooping cough and bronchitis.