Daffodil Classification System July 1998 
 
The Royal Horticulture Society's daffodil classification system, as of July 1998, include 13 divisions. Whether of wild or cultivated origin, once a selection has been distinguished by a cultivar name, it should be assigned to Divisions 1-12. Daffodils distinguished solely by botanical name should be assigned to Division 13. 
 
Note: the characteristics for Divisions 5 to 10 are given for guidance only; they are not all necessarily expected to be present in every cultivar assigned to those divisions. 
 
Division 1 - Trumpet Daffodils 
 
One flower to a stem: corona (trumpet) as long as, or longer than the perianth segments (petals). 
 
Division 2 - Large-Cupped Daffodils 
 
One flower to a stem; corona (cup) more than one-third, but less than equal to the length of the perianth segments (petals). 
 
Division 3 - Small Cupped Daffodils 
 
One flower to a stem; corona (cup) not more than on-third the length of the perianth segments (petals). 
 
Division 4 - Double Daffodils 
 
One or more flowers to a stem, with doubling of the perianths segments or the coronas or both. 
 
Division 5 - Triandrus Daffodils 
 
Characteristics of N. triandrus clearly evident: usually two or more pendent flowers to a stem; perianth segments reflexed. 
 
Division 6 - Cyclamineaus Daffodils 
 
Characteristics of N. cyclamineus clearly evident: one flower to a stem; perianths segments significantly reflexed; flower at an acute angle to the stem, with a very short pedicel (neck). 
 
Division 7- Jonquilla and Apodanthus Daffodils 
 
Characteristics of Section Jonquilla or Apodanthi clearly evident: one to five (rarely eight) flowers to a stem; perianth segments spreading or reflexed; corona cup-shaped, funnel-shaped or flared, usually wider than long; flowers usually fragrant. 
 
Division 8 - Tazetta Daffodils 
 
Characteristics of Section Tazettae clearly evident: usually three to twenty flowers to a stout stem; perianth segments spreading not reflexed; flowers usually fragrant. 
 
Division 9 - Poeticus Daffodils 
 
Characteristics of the N. poeticus group: usually one flower to a stem; perianth segments pure white; corona very short or disc-shaped, usually with a green and/or yellow centre and a red rim, but sometimes of a single colour; flowers usually curved. 
 
Division 10 - Bulbocodium Daffodils 
 
Characteristics of Section Bulbocodium clearly evident; usually one flower to a stem; perianth segments insignificant compared with the dominant corona; anthers dorsi fixed (ie attached more or less centrally to the filament); filament and style usually curved. 
 
Division 11 - Split Corona Daffodils 
 
Corona split - usually for more than half its length. 
 
a) Collar Daffodils 
 
Split-corona daffodils with the corona segments opposite the perianth segments; the corona segments usually in two whorls of three. 
 
b) Papillon Daffodils 
 
Split-corona daffodils with the corona segments alternate to the perianth segments; the corona segments usually in a single whorl of six. 
 
Division 12 - Other Daffodils 
 
Daffodil cultivars which do not fit the definition of any other division. 
 
Division 13 - Daffodils Distinguished Solely by Botanical Name 
 
SECTION TAPEINANTHUS 
 
Autumn flowering: one to four flowers to a rounded stem; leaves very narrow, glaucous, not always present on flowering bulbs; flower ascending, yellow, corona absent or rudimentary; anthers widely exserted from the tube, much shorter than the filaments, dorsifixed. 
 
SECTION SEROTINI 
 
Autumn flowering: usually one to two flowers to a rounded stem; leaves very narrow, glaucous, not always present on flowering bulbs; perianth segments pure white, usually twisted; corona very short, yellow, orange or green; anthers included in or slightly exserted from the tube, longer than the filaments, dorsifixed; flowers fragrant. 
 
SECTION AURELIA 
 
Autumn flowering; three to 12 flowers to a compressed stem; leaves flat not channelled, glaucous; flowers white; corona rudimentary or absent; filaments unequal in length; anthers exerted from the tube, dorsi fixed; flowers fragrant. 
 
SECTION TAZETTAE 
 
Autumn to spring flowering: three (rarely two) to 20 flowers to a usually compressed stem; leaves flat or channelled, usually glaucous; flowers white, yellow or bicolored; anthers included in or slightly exserted from the tube, much longer than the filaments, dorsifixed; flowers fragrant. The rounded stem and green leases of N. aureus atypical, also the orange corona of N. elegans. 
 
SECTION NARCISSUS 
 
Spring flowering: usually one flower (exceptionally two to four) to a compressed stem; leaves flat not channelled, glaucous; perianth segments pure white; corona dis-shaped or very shallow, sometimes of a single colour, but usually with base green, mid-zone yellow and rim red or orange and often scarious: anthers partly exserted from the tube, much l-onger than the filaments, d-orsifixed; fl-owers fragrant. Section covers N. poeticus. 
 
SECTION JONQUILLA 
 
Spring flowering: one to five (rarely eight) flowers to a rounded stem; leaves narrow or semi-cylindrical, green; flowers yellow, never white; perianth segments spreading or reflexed; corona usually cup-shaped, usually wider than long; anthers include in or partly exserted from the tube, much longer than the filaments, dorsifixed; flowers fragrant. The autumn flowering, green-flowered N. viridiflorus is atypical. 
 
SECTION APODANTHI 
 
Spring flowering; on flower or two to five to a somewhat compressed stem; leaves narrow, channelled, glaucous; flowers white or yellow, never bicoloured; perianth segments spreading or slightly reflexed; corona cup-shaped, funnel-shaped or flared, 
 
usually wider than long; anthers included in the tube or three included and three exserted, much longer than the filaments, dorsifixed. 
 
SECTION GANYMEDES 
 
Spring flowering; on flower or two to six to an elliptical or cylindrical stem; flowers pendent, white or yellow or somewhat bicoloured; leaves flat or semi-cylindrical; perianth segments reflexed; corona cup-shaped (rarely campanulate): anthers three included in the tube, three exserted (often beyond the corona), equal to or much shorter than filaments, dorsifixed. Section covers N. triandrus. 
 
SECTION BULBOCODIUM 
 
Autumn to spring flowering; one flower to a rounded stem; leaves narrow, semicylindrical; flowers white or yellow; perianth segments insignificant compared with the dominant corona; anthers widely exserted from the tube (often beyond the corona), much shorter than the filaments (which are usually curved), dorsifixed. 
 
SECTION PSEUDONARCISSUS 
 
Spring flowering; usually one flower to a more or less compressed or sometimes rounded stem; leaves flat or channelled, usually glaucous; flowers white, yellow or bicoloured; perianth sections usually spreading or inflexed; corona more or less cylindrical, often flared at mouth, yellow or white (never orange or red); anthers exserted from the tube, equal to or shorter than the filaments, sub-basifixed. The green leaves, rounded stem and strongly reflexed perianth segments of N. cyclamineus and the two to four flowers to a stem of N. longispathus and N. nevadensis are atypical. 
 
Note: Hybrids distinguished solely bv botanical names are also assigned to this division.