Pingtan Narcissus Flowers

Pingtan Narcissus Flowers

Pingtan Narcissus Flowers are a protected geographical indication product.

Pingtan Narcissus Flowers are a certified geographical indication trademark.

　　Pingtan Narcissus Flowers refer to the narcissus variety produced in Pingtan County, Fujian Province. They are a national geographical indication product of China. Thanks to the favorable climate conditions, especially the island characteristics, they boast a unique plant shape and rich fragrance, earning the reputation of the “King of Narcissus.” They have become the official welcoming flowers for major national celebrations and for receiving foreign dignitaries by Chinese leaders.

　　　As Pingtan is surrounded by sea, its unique climate and geographical conditions give rise to three distinctive features of Pingtan Narcissus. (See Figure 2: Pingtan Narcissus Flowers)

　　. Color: First, the flowering period is relatively longer compared to narcissus from other regions. It is reported that Pingtan Narcissus Flowers have an average bloom duration of up to 18 days; second, they produce a large number of flower buds with a strong and long-lasting fragrance; third, the plants are short, sturdy, and graceful in shape — this is also the biggest difference from Zhangzhou narcissus. Due to their excellent resistance to lodging, this advantage becomes the biggest selling point of Pingtan Narcissus. According to experts, after more than 200 years of survival in the wild, Pingtan Narcissus has followed the natural law of survival of the fittest in harsh environments, exhibiting particularly outstanding superior traits. With a relatively short period of artificial domestication, its ecological features remain more wild. It shows greater plasticity in ornamental cultivation, higher ornamental value, and is widely renowned for its abundant flower spikes, long blooming period, fragrant blossoms, and beautiful posture. It is also highly appreciated by growers for its strong resistance, low disease incidence, lodging resistance, and lack of blind shoots.

　　Growing Environment

　　　　Pingtan County, abbreviated as “Lan,” is shaped like the mythical beast Qilin. It is located between 25°15′–25°45′ north latitude and 119°32′–120°10′ east longitude. To the east lies the Taiwan Strait, only 68 nautical miles from Hsinchu Port in Taiwan, making it the island county in Fujian Province and on the mainland closest to Taiwan. To the west, it faces Haitan Strait, neighboring Changle, Fuqing City, and Putian County. To the south is near Nan’ao of Putian County, and to the north lies the Baidu Islands. The county consists of 126 islands, with a land area of 371.91 square kilometers, tidal flats covering 64.65 square kilometers, and a sea area of over 6,000 square kilometers. Its coastline stretches 399.82 kilometers. Haitan Island is the largest island in Fujian Province and the fifth largest in China, with a land area of 267.13 square kilometers. The county has numerous islands and a winding coastline, including various types such as bedrock erosion coasts, laterite erosion coasts, sandy tidal flat coasts, and mixed sandy-muddy tidal flat coasts.

　　Pingtan has a South Asian tropical maritime monsoon climate. Summers are long and winters short, with warm and humid weather, cool summers and mild winters, and rare frost or snow. Spring temperatures are lower than autumn temperatures. The multi-year average temperature is 19.6°C, with the coldest day averaging 10.2°C and the hottest day averaging 27.9°C. The annual accumulated temperature above 10°C is 6,563 degree-days, and the multi-year average sunshine duration is 1,919.7 hours. Rainfall and heat occur in the same season, with distinct dry and rainy periods. The multi-year average precipitation is 1,172 millimeters, and evaporation is 1,300 millimeters, making it one of the less rainy areas in Fujian Province. Monsoons are pronounced, with prevailing southerly winds in summer and mostly northeasterly winds in other seasons. The annual average wind speed is 6.9 meters per second, and the number of days with strong winds (above force 7) in bay and coastal areas is 125 days per year, making it one of the high-wind areas in Fujian Province. The special soil structure, warm temperate climate, and windy meteorological conditions are the main factors that form the unique variety of Pingtan Narcissus, which cannot be substituted by varieties from other regions.

　　　In 1992, at the “Hong Kong International Flower Show,” where more than ten countries and regions exhibited thousands of rare and exotic flowers, “Pingtan Narcissus” was showcased as China’s unique representative of narcissus and won the “Best Exhibition Award.” It then participated in the Thousand Flowers Evaluation Conference organized by the China Flower Association and also received first prize. In important venues such as Zhongnanhai and the Great Hall of the People, Pingtan Narcissus also stood out, becoming the official welcoming flowers for major national celebrations and for receiving foreign dignitaries. In 2003, at the Spring Flower Trade Show in the United States, the narcissus brought by the Pingtan Narcissus Development Corporation received high praise. Since then, Pingtan Narcissus has stepped onto the international stage, showcasing its unique charm in the global floral market. By the end of 2007, Pingtan Narcissus was included in the directory of protected geographical indication products, becoming the only narcissus in China to receive national geographical indication protection.

　　The protected geographical indication product area for Pingtan Narcissus is based on the scope proposed in the “Request for Defining the Geographical Indication Product Origin Protection Area of Pingtan Narcissus” (Lan Zheng Zong [2006] No. 189) issued by Pingtan County, Fujian Province, covering the current administrative region of Pingtan County, Fujian Province.