daffodil shape list of common names specimen ID sheet

Petal orientation

The angle of petals relative to the trumpet may be reflexed, inflexed, or spreading.           Charity May (D6 Y-Y) has reflexed petals   Golden harvest (D1 Y-Y) has petals which are inflexed at the base and reflexed at the apex (like Napoleon's hat)

Petal texture

The texture of petals can be smooth or creased.           Saint Keverne (D2 Y-Y) has smooth petals.   Carlton (D2 Y-Y) has creased petals.

Petal overlap

The degree of overlap refers to the fraction of the width of an outer petal that is hidden behind the margin of the adjacent inner petals. 1/2 overlap means that you can not see any of the outer petal between the two bases of the inner petals. Overlap can also be categorised as 1/3 overlap or star shaped (where the overlap is less than 1/4).

Falstaff (D2 Y-O) has spreading, broad and plane petals with 1/2 overlap. This means that you can not see any of the outer petal between the two bases of the inner petals.   Saint Keverne (D2 Y-Y) has petals with 1/3 overlap. You can see the middle third of the outer petal between the margins of the two inner petals (in the shadow of the trumpet in this picture), each overlapping 1/3.   In C.J.Backhouse (D2 Y-O) the overlap is less than 1/4 and you can see more than half of the base of the outer petal. This is known as star-shaped. Note the wavy margins of the creased petals.

Petal mucronation

Petals are described as mucronate if they have prominent, pointed tips.           White Lady (D3 W-Y) has prominently mucronate outer petals, but noticeably less mucronate inner petals. Note also that the inner petals are recurved at the base, while the outer petals are flat at the base.   Silken Sails (D3 W-WWY) has petals which are not mucronate, but are somewhat acute.