DaffSeek - Daffodil Divisions and Descriptions

Introduction

The DaffSeek menu item labeled “Division” refers to a daffodil classification system approved by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) of the United Kingdom. These number and letter combinations are a standard way of describing and classifying daffodils and are the same as you would see in any daffodil catalog.

Each daffodil cultivar or garden hybrid belongs to one of the first twelve divisions. Wild forms of daffodils or "species" are placed in Division 13. Whether of wild or cultivated origin, once a selection has been distinguished by a cultivar name it is assigned to one of Divisions 1 to 12.

The division and color codes of an individual daffodil are part of its official registration with the RHS. The classification of an individual daffodil is based on the hybridizer's choices when he or she registered the daffodil. If the flower grows with a red cup in New Zealand, where a hybridizer lives, the flower will be registered with the red cup. However, it may grow with an orange cup in your region. Color descriptions may vary based on individual perception, climate, weather or growing conditions.

DaffSeek uses the RHS daffodil classification system to describe and display daffodils.

Daffodil divisions and descriptions

Below are the definitions for each division accompanied with a small photo of a typical flower. If you wish to see a larger photo for one of these divisions, click on the thumbnail. You may select one of these divisions on the DaffSeek Query Menu in combination with other menu items.

	Division 1 - Trumpet (Long Cupped) Daffodils One flower to a stem, corona (cup) as long or longer than the perianth segments (petals).
Pink Silk, 1 W-P
	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).

Pacific Rim, 2 Y-YYR
	Division 3 - Small-Cupped Daffodils One flower to a stem, corona (cup) not more than one-third the length of the perianth segments (petals).
Dena, 3 W-WWP
	Division 4 - Double Daffodils Daffodils have a clustered cup, petals or both. There can be one or more flowers per stem.
Blossom Lady, 4 W-O
	Division 5 - Triandrus Daffodils Usually more than one flower to a stem, head drooping, perianth segments often reflexed and of silky texture.
Akepa, 5 W-P
	Division 6 - Cyclamineus Daffodils One flower to a stem, perianth segments significantly reflexed, corona usually straight and narrow.
Flight Path, 6 Y-W
	Division 7 - Jonquilla Daffodils Usually several flower heads to a stem, flowers usually fragrant, stem is round in cross-section and foliage is often rush like.
Wendover, 7 W-Y
	Division 8 - Tazetta Daffodils Usually three to twenty flowers to a stout stem, sweetly scented and very short cupped. Perianth segments rounded and often somewhat crinkled.
Early Pearl, 8 W-Y
	Division 9 - Poeticus Daffodils Usually one flower to a stem; perianth segments pure white; corona very short or disc shaped, usually with a green and/or yellow center and a red rim, but sometimes of a single color; flowers usually fragrant.
Rondo, 9 W-GYR
	Division 10 - Bulbocodium Hybrids Daffodils Usually one flower to a stem; perianth segments insignificant compared with the dominant corona. Small flowers resemble a 'hoop petticoat' form.
Smarple, 10 W-W
	Division 11 - Split-Cupped Corona split -- usually for more than half its length.
	11a - Split-Cupped Collar Daffodils Split-corona daffodils with the corona segments opposite the perianth segments; the corona segments usually in two whorls of three.
Petite Magic, 11a W-YPP
	11b - Split-Cupped Papillon Daffodils Split-corona daffodils with the corona segments alternate to the perianth segments; the corona segments usually in a single whorl of six.
Twotees, 11b W-P/W
	Division 12 - Miscellaneous Daffodils Daffodils which do not fit the definition of any other division.
Mesa Verde, 12 G-GGY
	Division 13 - Species, Wild Variants Daffodils Daffodils distinguished solely by botanical name. All species and reputedly wild forms.
*N. rupicola* subsp. watieri, 13 W-W**