Wild narcissus

The wild narcissus dots the alpine meadows with its tufts of highly perfumed flowers characterized by a white corolla and yellow paracorolla. It can be observed during the spring flowering season, generally between April and June depending on the altitude.

The narcissus plant is perennial, equipped with an underground bulb from which a single flower emerges each year. It belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family, plants closely related to the Liliaceae, which also include the snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) and the spring snowflake (Leucojum vernum).

Some Curiosities

Although once used for medicinal purposes, the narcissus is highly toxic: it contains a poisonous alkaloid (narcissine), which if ingested accidentally causes neurological disorders and gastric inflammations. The term narcissus comes from the Greek word nàrke, meaning numbness/stupor, and is linked to its intense scent, as if it had narcotic properties. This flower is associated with Narcissus, a character from Greek mythology who fell in love with his own reflection, leading to his death. It is said that at the place of his death, this beautiful flower was found in place of his body.

Conservation Status

The Piedmont Region places the wild narcissus on the list of species under absolute protection only in the Province of Alessandria, where any type of collection is prohibited, such as within Parks and Natural Reserves. In all other territories, collecting up to 5 plants per person per day is allowed without damaging their roots.

Among the main threats it faces, climate change is gradually leading to an increase in altitude of its habitats. Furthermore, the abandonment and change of traditional mountain activities can contribute to the degradation of its preferred environments. In particular, the wild narcissus thrives in extensively cultivated land, for example, alpine meadows where hay is mowed and collected. At the same time, it suffers from high grazing pressure by sheep, in particular, as well as trampling of the soil and excessive fertilization.