The Upper Delaware River region is vibrant with blooming beauty lately, as spring begins to reach its peak. Showy displays of wild blossoming continue to brighten local landscapes, bringing sweet relief from winter’s drab palette. 

The sensory stimulus of spring flora is not limited to its visual aspects, however. Our olfactory sense is also awakened by the heady perfumes of some blooms, such as that of the delicate poet’s daffodil.

Narcissus poeticus, also commonly called the poet’s narcissus, was one of the first daffodils to be cultivated, and is now naturalized in North America. (Narcissus is the botanical name given to daffodils and jonquils). 

The poet’s daffodil is often associated with the legend of Narcissus, a figure from Greek mythology famed for his beauty. Narcissus is reputed to have fallen hopelessly in love with his own image in a pool of water where he spent countless hours gazing at his reflection in a pose resembling that of the daffodil’s upright stem and often downward-facing flower. 

That eye-catching flower is extremely fragrant, and is characterized by a ring of white petals and a bright yellow corona with a surprising fringe of red on its edge.

According to Wikipedia, poet’s narcissus is cultivated in the Netherlands and southern France for its intoxicating essential oil used in perfumes such as Fatale and Samsara. The oil’s fragrance is likened to that of jasmine and hyacinth.

The fetching daffodil doesn’t come without hazards, however. “While all narcissi are poisonous when eaten, poet’s daffodil is more dangerous than others, acting as a strong emetic and irritant,” notes the Wikipedia post. “The scent can be powerful enough to cause headache and vomiting if a large quantity is kept in a closed room.”

When experienced in the great outdoors, the scent is beguiling and its fragile beauty enchanting. Take a good whiff and a close look should you encounter narcissus poeticus. Just don’t take a bite!