Amaryllis (Family Amaryllidaceae)

Amaryllidaceae are a family of herbaceous, perennial and bulbous flower-
ing plants. The family takes its name from Genus Amaryllis, hence the
common name of the Amaryllis Family. The family includes about 75

genera and 1600 species.

Narcissus is a genus of mainly hardy, mostly Spring flowering bulbs of

the Amaryllis Family, native to Europe, North Affrica, and Asia. General-

ly known by the common English name, daffodils, there are several wild

species as well as hundreds of horticultural cultivars.

Most Narcissus species are generally intentionally planted as ornamentals;
large numbers of daffodils have been planted in a variety of situations,
including gardens, parks, and along major highways (e.g., Interstate 66
heading west from Washington, D.C.) However, "ornamental" plantings
can go wild when not not attended. This seems to have occurred in Sky
Meadows State Park. Narcissus species planted near the entrance gate
have spread from their original locations, occurring in an ever expanding
area, generally near Gap Run. Other species of daffodils are also occur-

ring in areas where they were not intentionally planted (near the overnight
camping site).

Back to Inventory of Herb/Forb Families and Species