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It has been described as the ugliest daffodil in the world, but the Derwydd
Daffodil (Narcissus obvallaris ‘Thomas’ Virescent Daffodil’) is special to South
Wales after being rediscovered here only twenty years ago or so. This flore
pleno variety is characterised by its green-tinged, double flowers, which often
appear twisted and messy.
Derwydd is the Welsh name for ‘oaks’, but the variety is actually named
after a garden in Llandybie in Carmarthenshire where it was first found.
Although well known in the Upper Loughor at Llandeilo Talybont Church (known
locally as The Old Church on the Marsh), its history in Glamorgan appears vague
and I would be interested to hear if anyone has references that might shed some
light on this subject. It’s possible the daffodils have been there a long time
as Ivor Griffiths wrote (Ref.) ‘The earliest written record of Llandeilo
Talybont was during a dispute about boundaries between the Bishopric of
Glamorgan and that of St. David's. Urban, Bishop of Glamorgan (1107 - 1134)
claimed several parishes far across the Loughor river as being part of his
diocese, stating that they had been given to Dyfrig and Teilo by Meuric ap
Tewdrig.’
