Daffodils vs Jonquils: Difference and Comparison

There are nearly 295,000 types of flowering plant species discovered around the world to date. But, our knowledge is so limited to knowing our nature that we can hardly recognize or name them.

Daffodils and jonquils are also similar-looking flowers because they belong to the same genus and family. Botanists say that all jonquils are daffodils, but all daffodils are not jonquils. 

Key Takeaways

1. Daffodils belong to the Narcissus genus, while jonquils are a specific species.
2. Jonquils have a strong, sweet fragrance, whereas daffodils have a milder scent.
3. Daffodils have flat, strap-like leaves, while jonquils feature round, rush-like leaves.

Daffodils vs Jonquils

Daffodils are a type of flower that belongs to the genus Narcissus and the family Amaryllidaceae and are perennial plants grown from bulbs in different colors. Jonquils is a flower that has been found in European countries since the 18th century and is mostly used to make perfumes.

Daffodils are found in a variety of colors including yellow (most common), white, and splashes of red, orange, and pink with different shades of yellow.

Daffodils belong to the divisions of the genus Narcissus and the family of Amaryllidaceae. Daffodils are perennial plants that are grown from bulbs that look similar to onion bulbs. 

Jonquils belong to the same genus and family as daffodils. Daffodils are divided into 13 divisions in total, and jonquils belong to the 7th division.

Jonquils are very common in European countries, and it is also cultivated in France since the 18th century. The flowers of jonquils are known to have a very strong smell and are often used in making perfumes. 

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Daffodils	Jonquils
Flowers	Daffodils have larger flowering varieties.	Jonquils are relatively smaller in size and have a strong scent.
Leaves	They have wide and flat leaves.	They have thin, round leaves and slender foliage.
Division	Daffodils are divided into 13 divisions based on the size, color, and growth habits of the bulbs.	Jonquils belong to the 7th of 13 divisions of daffodils.
Season	Daffodils are spotted during the late winters and early springs.	Jonquils prefer growing during the summers and wet winters.
Identification	The corolla of daffodils can be white, yellow, or peach.	Jonquils are found only with yellow corollas.

What is Daffodils?

There are a variety of flowers that fall under the division of daffodils. In the northern hemisphere, the blooming daffodils mark the advent of spring, as they are always the first flowers to bloom after a long winter. This is why daffodils symbolize rebirth and hope.

Daffodils come in a variety of shades, but the most common ones are yellow and white. Daffodils belong to the genus Narcissus, and there are more than 50 varieties of flowers under it. 

Since daffodil is a common flower to grow in European countries, the soil bed is prepared during the autumn season. The bulbs are buried two to three inches deep into the soil and at least three or four inches apart from each other because this increases the chance of growing taller plants.

They bloom during spring and die at the arrival of summer. Daffodils grow in a variety of natural habitats that vary from low marshes to rocky hillsides. Most of the types of varieties prefer growing on acidic soil, but some species grow well on limestone. 

In many native areas, people pick up daffodil bulbs mistakenly as onion or leek bulbs. These have caused severe poisoning and death when they were cooked and consumed.

The extraction of the bulb is very dangerous for wounds as contact between them causes cardiac symptoms. 

What is Jonquils?

The scent of jonquils makes it very unique and easily distinguishable in a garden. Jonquils are cultivated for their use in essential oils and perfumes. 

Jonquils are easy to plant in home gardens and don’t require very high maintenance. The bulbs can be planted in October or November, and they start blooming after a couple of months.

Advances in science made Jonquil indoor plants as well. Jonquils fall under division 7 among the 13 divisions of daffodils. The leaves of jonquils are easily distinguishable as they are slender with round tips.

The stem of a jonquil is hollow, and it isn’t very strong. Jonquils are relatively shorter in height as compared to other daffodils. 

Though jonquil is native to Spain and Portugal, today it can be found in several regions, including France, Italy, Canada, Utah, the southeastern United States, etc. 

Experts advise keeping pets and kids away from jonquils if one is planting them in the garden, as it is poisonous. Consumption of a very small portion of the flower is capable of causing gastrointestinal upset. 

Main Differences Between Daffodils and Jonquils

1. Daffodils represent a wide variety of flowers, which can be divided into 13 divisions under the family Amaryllidaceae. On the other hand, Jonquils represent only division 7 flowers of daffodils. 
2. Daffodils are comparatively larger. The length of the corolla of Jonquil is smaller and is approximately one-fourth of the length of the petal. 
3. While the bulb size varies for the different divisions of daffodils, the bulbs of jonquils and other daffodils are poisonous for human beings and other animals as well. 
4. Another identical feature of daffodil is that only one big flower grows atop a green stalk. In the case of jonquils, a maximum of eight blossoms can grow in a cluster. 
5. Most of the daffodils have wide and flat leaves, whereas they have thin and round leaves. 

References

1. https://mospace.umsystem.edu/xmlui/handle/10355/10106
2. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-662-03354-8_17