Narcissus research project

[Matt T]

Fellow Narcissus-nuts maybe interested to read about a forthcoming research project here: http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=13807.0

[Maggi Young]

An interesting and valid project, in my opinion.  I commend Matt's initiative.

[Jack Meatcher]

Matt,

I tried to make a donation using Paypal. I got to the last step when I noticed that the system stated it had the right to take direct debit payments in the future. I wanted to make a one-off donation but couldn't switch it to one-off so backed out of the transaction. Any thoughts?

Jack

[Matt T]

Hi Jack,

Thanks for your interest in my project and sharing your concerns.

This is my first time at using Crowdfunder, so I can only tell what I've read when setting up my project, although I have donated to other projects a couple of times. I believe you got the message about DDs in future because your pledge is not paid on the date you make it, with monies collected via Paypal only once the fundraising deadline has passed. So in this case, you'll authorise a payment with Paypal now, but the transaction will not be processed until 28 Jan.

On Friday, I received a Paypal transaction notification for a project I pledged to 3 weeks previously, which fits with my understanding of the timescales.

I hope this helps?
M

[Maggi Young]

That is absolutely our reading of the paypal notice.  Because the payment is not taken at the time of pledging the agreement is for a DD - but only a single payment, at the time the  project is activated.

[Jack Meatcher]

Thanks Matt and Maggie,

I'll have another go to-day.

My wife and I are off on the Greentours trip to Iberia next Feb/March. I'm hoping to see if there are many versions of N. minor ssp asturiensis or just one as described in JB's book. This is our first such tour.

Thanks again

Jack

[Matt T]

Thank you, Jack. You interest and support are much appreciated.

Looks like you'll have a great trip too, and a little earlier than mine so I look forward to hearing how you get on in terms of how far on the season/flowers are etc. I see that Oron Peri is one of the trip leaders, well known to us Forumists. Looking at your itinerary I'm not sure if you will see N.minor / asturiensis, which mainly occur further north than the regions you're visiting. You may get lucky in the Serre de Estrela - the attached map is not mine, I can't remember whose / where I found it. Another trip to N. Spain would be no chore I'm sure once you're bitten by the exploring bug.

[Jack Meatcher]

Matt,

Dunnit.

Jack

[Maggi Young]

Matt is in Spain - he is  reluctantly almost at the end of his Narcissus Trail - he's  sent this photo of Narcissus rupicola to show he's been finding the daffs!

[Cfred72]

Superb project, I am delighted to have more news

[annew]

Looking forward to hearing about his travels.

[Maggi Young]

Matt has already agreed to write up his project for the SRGC Journal  and perhaps the IRG, where  more pictures are possible -  you'll all see that, as well as the groups for whom Matt  has arranged talks. 

[Matt T]

The trip was a great success with mixed results for the Narcissus populations. Covering 2,379 km in eight days I managed to locate most of John Blanchard's sites and I found a total of 14 Narcissus species and natural hybrids. Some were quite tricky to find, others growing just by the roadside and I found some sites under my own steam.

I was blessed with good weather, clear skies meant plant hunting from dawn until dusk was possible every day and temperatures ranged from 3^oC (ice on the outside of my tent one morning!) up to 25^oC on sunny afternoons in the south.

I'm already starting to work my way through the field notes and photographs. The results will be shared through various routes, so I'll not post too many photos here just yet. There'll be an article in The Rock Gardener, which I'm starting on already and a supplement in the International Rock Gardener. Crowdfunder supporters will receive a detailed report. There will also be a series of talks to Local Groups in the autumn, and details will follow once they are all finalised.

In the meantime, here are a few photos:

- Narcissus hedraeanthus in Cazorla
- Crocus nevadensis in the Sierra Nevada
- Muscari neglectum in the Sierra de Alcaraz
- Fritillaria lusitanica in the Parque Natural de Andújar
- The elusive Iberian lynx is doing well in some areas

[Matt T]

Just one more pic to share, this is a plant from the Narcissus hedraeanthus population in the Sierra de Alcaraz. John Blanchard found N. hedraeanthus (which he suggested should be regarded as ssp. luteolentus) and a range of hybrids. He does not suggest what the other parent might be, and neither he nor I found any other Narcissus growing in the immediate vicinity but I'd suspect N. cantabricus to be most likely. To my eye this population is now a hybrid swarm, with no plant showing any characteristics of pure N. hedraeanthus, but a wide range of variable individuals. This photo shows one that is almost petunioid with a rolled back rim to the corona, which I suspect a few of you may take a fancy to.

[Gabriela]

Matt - I am not a Narcissus connoisseur, but I know how exciting it is to travel and explore a new territory! I am glad your trip was successful and I am sure that many will be very interested about your findings and of course, waiting to see the pictures you gather in your travels