Paperwhite
The Paper Daffodil
An ocean of ink in a single drop,
Trembling at the tip of my brush.
Poised above stark white paper,
A universe waits for existence.
Paperwhites are winter wonders. In the heart of winter, this gentleman reminds us that our dormancy leads to blossoming. Easily “forced” in December, the stems of this upright fellow are mid-green with long and narrow linear leaves. He portrays an innocent optimism and will grow about a foot high, although this can vary according to species. His fragrance dances on the air while white flowers bloom in clusters atop his confident stems. They will feature a trumpet or cup, called the corona, which is framed by six petals. It is as if he heralds that good news and luck will soon be upon us. A bulbous perennial, paperwhites do not require the traditional chilling in order to bloom. An agreeable sort, the bulbs will begin to grow whenever planted, often flowering in 3–4 weeks. Due to this inclination toward blossoming, the plants can easily be grown in containers of water, though he probably prefers a nice moist peat. These easygoing attributes make him a welcome addition to the darker days of winter.
The Magic of Paperwhite
Correspondences
Element: Water
Gender: Masculine
Sabbat: Ostara
Planet: Venus, Neptune
Chakra: Solar Plexus
Spellwork
Uplift
Love
Luck
Calm
Begin
Proverb
Turkish: However much snow falls, it does not endure the summer.
The Medicine of Paperwhite
Ayurvedic
Not Applicable
Herbology
Not Applicable
TCM
Not Applicable
Science of Paperwhite
Botany
Botanical Name: Narcissus papyraceus
Family: Amaryllidaceae (Amaryllis Family)
Type of Plant: Flowering perennial (Bulb)
Habitat: Average, Sun/Shade
Zone: Indoors in Winter
Bloom Time: Forced in Winter
Height: 1-1.5 feet
Spread: 6 inches
Propagation: Division
Harvest: TOXIC
Part Used: NONE
Constituents: TOXIC
Native Region: Mediterranean
Sustainability: Good
Leaf
Structure: Simple
Arrangement: Basal
Shape: Linear strap
Length: 2-8 inches
Margins: Entire
Surface: Smooth
Flower
Inflorescence: Compound umbrel
Sexuality: Perfect
Stamen: 6
Petals: 6 tepals, conical corona
Color: White
Size: Small
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Sacred Story
Believe it or not, Paperwhite flowers like a little bit of gin. At a ratio of 1 part gin to 7 parts water, to be exact. If you add a little gin after the roots have established and the leaves start to sprout, you may get a shorter version of the plant, but it is less likely to flop over. That’s right, the gin makes this gentleman stand a little stronger. Cheers!
