Jonquil, Daffodil or Narcissus?

 

Jonquil, Daffodil or Narcissus?

The common botanical name for all these lovely spring flowers is Narcissus.

Daffodils may be perfumed, but their scent is delicate and, to my nose, green. They have one flower per stem. They come in many shades, from white, through yellow to peach and pink. Often their trumpets are a brighter colour.

Jonquils are strongly perfumed and carry many flowers on each stem. They are seen in all shades of yellow and the trumpets, or corona, are shorter than in daffodils, but, like them, contrast with the outer petals.

Although daffodils and jonquils are both classified as narcissus, they are different species. Nonetheless, they will probably always be referred to as ‘daffodils,’ glorious harbingers of spring.

 I noticed a bent stem of jonquils in the garden and brought it into the house. It smelt wonderful. My photographic skills do not do it justice, and there is no way of capturing the scent, but I think it is beautiful. 

ABC Wednesday J is for . . .

Jonquil (Narcissus jonquilla) in April

Jasmine (Jasminum beesianum) 

This jasmine flowers profusely in June, July and August and is very attractive to bees and other insects. Its sweet smell wafts on warm breezes and combines with honeysuckle and roses to create an intoxicating scent. The flowers are tiny and are succeeded by shiny black berries.

Juvenile robin in June. The trademark red breast is just beginning to develop colour.

Jackdaw (Corvus monedula) aka Eurasian Jackdaw, European Jackdaw or Western Jackdaw – sometimes just known as Jack and named for its harsh ‘tchack’ call.

This year a family of four visited our bird table for many consecutive days to feed on ham fat and dry bread – a feast indeed! Jackdaws are opportunistic feeders and are known to steal eggs and bright, shiny objects. Hand-reared birds are friendly and will not fly off with wild jackdaws.

Landing or taking off?

Jay (Garrulus glandarius) Magpies are handsome but Jays are pretty.

There are many jays in the forest but occasionally we have one visit our garden to feed from the feeders or to probe for insects in the grass.

Click here for more Js!