Plant origins and names
• The Chinese name, shuixian, translates to “water fairy,” likely because they can be grown in water with pebbles.
• Their botanical name, Narcissus papyraceus, means “paper-like” and is a nod to their appearance.
• The Italian term “tazetta” means “small cup” and is used to describe the flower’s structure, particularly in related bi-colored varieties.
Scent and appearance
• The flowers are strongly and uniquely fragrant.
• The scent comes from chemical compounds like indole and skatole.
• While they are often called “paperwhites,” some varieties have yellow cups or are yellow-flowered, and they can produce clusters of flowers on a single stem.
• The fragrance is so strong that some find it overwhelming.