The botanical name for daffodil is ‘Narcissus’ and it is essentially is a spring flower which blooms in autumn. Daffodils appear as ‘split cups’ in which a ring of petals surrounds the central trumpet shaped corona and traditionally the flower is of a golden yellow shade. Sometimes the flower comes with a double or triple rows of petals which make it resemble a tiny golden ball. There is another variety of daffodils where the petals appear as frills.

This pretty flower is grown mostly in the Mediterranean region but a few species are also available from Central Asia to China. Almost every year, new varieties of daffodils are grown by human modification in nurseries. They are easy to grow, and prosper in both bright sun as well as in the shade. The daffodil is increasingly cultivated by farmers and botanists because it has several uses in different countries across the planet.

In China, the flower is extensively used for decoration during the Chinese New Year. Closer home in Britian, the renowned poet William Wordsworth had immortalized the flower in his famous poem ‘I wandered lonely as a cloud’. In Wales, the daffodil is considered to be the national flower and, here, it is a tradition to wear a daffodil on St. David’s Day. The yellow variety of the flower has an association with Easter in some countries.

Nowadays, different Cancer Societies across the globe have adopted the daffodil as a fundraising symbol. Daffodil Days are celebrated to raise funds for the cancer patients. The flower is offered in return for donation.