Cenhinen pedr

Kingdom: Plantae

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Genus: Narcissus

While the snowdrop signals the end of winter, the daffodil is the beginning of spring. As someone who is half-Welsh, the daffodil has been prevalent throughout my childhood, as the daffodil is the national flower of Wales, and it translates to Cenhenin pedr in the Welsh language. It is traditional to wear a daffodil on Saint David's Day, March 1st, and a Welsh myth claims that if you spot the first daffodil of the season, your next 12 months will be filled with wealth. Clearly I need to keep a better eye out, as that student budget is still hitting me hard. Daffodils grow perennially from bulbs, often in large clusters, brightening up the countryside with their bright, yellow, sunny colour. The plants have a single central leafless hollow flower stem, with several green strap-shaped leaves arising from the bulb. Closest to the stem is a floral tube above the ovary, then an outer ring of six tepals, which may hang down or be erect.

The daffodil has many myths surrounding it, with different symbolisms in different times and cultures. It is also known as Narcissus, which is a Classical Greek name in honour of a beautiful youth who became so entranced by his own reflection that he pined away and the gods transformed him into this flower. The Romans cultivated them, and then they were forgotten until 1600. Around 1629, Englishmen reintroduced it to gardens because their sap was thought to have healing flowers. However, it actually contains crystals which can irritate the skin - hardly what I would call healing. Due to their long association with Lent, they are known as the "Lent Lily", and symbolise happiness as a gift, although they must be given as a bunch as one on their own can foretell misfortune. It is also the 10th wedding anniversary flower. Lots of meanings!

Daffodils are known as the flowers of March, and usually bloom between March and late April, meaning they are early in mid-February this year. Phenology describes the timing of critical events, such as when flowers bloom, birds migrate or trees shed their leaves. These processes are closely linked to environmental conditions, including temperature. Therefore, the increase in the Earth's climate is having effects on the life cycles of various plants including the daffodil, which consequently affects its fitness. For example, earlier flowering means that they are more exposed to frost conditions which has knock-on effects for seed production. It also leads to mismatches with pollinators, meaning less pollination takes place. Therefore, the daffodils this year at UEA may be exposed to tricky conditions in the next couple of weeks.