March's birth flower is the daffodil, with the jonquil as its close relative; both are Narcissus, and both are linked to new beginnings.
March is one of the rare months where every source agrees on the genus. The Old Farmer's Almanac, Farmers' Almanac, the Society of American Florists and Penn State Extension all point to Narcissus. The only question is which name to print. The Old Farmer's Almanac's chart lists the jonquil as a second flower, then explains in its text that the jonquil is a kind of daffodil, so the two entries are close cousins rather than rivals.
Modern American meanings for the daffodil focus on rebirth and new beginnings, the wording both almanacs use. The Society of American Florists takes a different angle with chivalry. Greenaway's 1884 book gave the daffodil regard, and gave the jonquil a full sentence: I desire a return of affection. Farmers' Almanac shortens that to affection returned. Victorian books also kept a separate, less flattering entry for Narcissus in general, egotism, though it belongs to the wider genus rather than to the daffodil.
Daffodil is the common name for the large yellow Narcissus that most March charts picture. Both almanacs tie it to rebirth and new beginnings. The Society of American Florists reads it as chivalry, and Greenaway's 1884 book as regard. All four readings are positive, which makes the daffodil one of the simpler birth flowers to give without second-guessing the message.
Jonquil is Narcissus jonquilla, a yellow species within the same genus as the daffodil. The Old Farmer's Almanac calls it a type of daffodil and gives it no separate meaning. Greenaway's 1884 entry is unusually direct: I desire a return of affection. Farmers' Almanac condenses that into affection returned, which makes the jonquil the March flower with the most romantic message.
They share a genus, Narcissus. The jonquil is the species Narcissus jonquilla, and the Old Farmer's Almanac describes it as a kind of daffodil. Charts that list both for March are naming two members of one genus.
In Greenaway's 1884 book, the general entry for Narcissus reads egotism. The daffodil and the jonquil have their own entries, regard and a wish for returned affection, so the March birth flowers are not tied to that meaning.
JanuaryCarnationSnowdrop
FebruaryVioletPrimrose
MarchDaffodilJonquil
AprilDaisySweet Pea
MayLily of the ValleyHawthorn
JuneRoseHoneysuckle
JulyLarkspurWater Lily
AugustGladiolusPoppy
SeptemberAsterMorning Glory
OctoberMarigoldCosmos
NovemberChrysanthemum
DecemberNarcissus (Paperwhite)HollyBirth flowers and flower meanings are cultural traditions. Month lists follow The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the Farmers’ Almanac and the Society of American Florists; the daily calendar is from William Hone’s The Every-Day Book (1825).