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When I moved into the house I now live in 11 years ago: in the spring yellow daffodils, or Jonquils come up every spring. They are wonderful. This year we had one degree 2 0r 3 day freeze, and it froze many of the flowers before they were ready to open.

What is the difference between a daffodil and a jonquil? I am never sure which is which. Nevertheless they are beautiful. Praise God! Thank Thee, LORD!

Geologist: I have always wondered, too, so I looked it up and this is the answer I got. It sounds very likely to be true!

Both Jonquils and Daffodils are both Narcissus sp., but a Jonquil usually refers to the native (Portugal/Spain) species (Narcissus jonquilla) or those which are similar in appearance to the native Jonquils. Jonquils are typically smaller flowering - where as Daffodil is usually a larger trumpet flower.

There are various "classifications" (13 classes) of Daffodil varieties and their characteristics vary from each class. Jonquils (I believe) refer to these single and native type of "species-like" narcissus. They are smaller and more clustered v. a typical hybridized Daffodil. Jonquils are (typically) clustered and smaller - similar to a "paper white" in the size of the blooms.

This was answered by Chris, A Former landscape architect and experienced SoCal gardener!