Need Help Understanding N. c. monophyllus

I’m trying to understand N. cantabricus ssp. monophyllus. I love it for its crystalline whiteness and well balanced perianth segments. The bulbs that I have came from bulbs from Michael Salmon as well as seed from the Archibald’s. Both bulbs and seed were obtained in the early to mid 1990s.

The problem that I have is that Blanchard is very definite that the leaves are “single, threadlike, sinuous and prostrate”. He also says that he “is convinced that it is a distinct subspecies” (pg 136). It seems to me that what I have here is only monophyllus (single leaf) as a seedling and up until flowering size. At flowering size there always seems to be a shorter leaf (that I would describe as a “sheath like leaf”). I’m not certain but possibly the side bulbs that are not yet differentiated into clearly defined separate bulbs give their own leaf(s) that make it difficult to determine that they are single leaved and correct.

Blanchard also states that monophyllus “sometimes appears to produce more than one leaf in cultivation” and says, “it is always difficult to tell without lifting and examining the bulbs whether a bulb has divided or is producing a second leaf”. Not certain exactly what that means but adds to my confusion.

Those that I grow under the name have dark bulb skins, white filaments and style with bright yellow pollen. The seed raised from careful pollination amongst the Archibald and Salmon bulbs do not have uniform prostrate foliage. Some 2/3 of those raised have vertical foliage. The seedlings that resulted seem to be “polyphyllus” on blooming and NOT monophyllus. All other characteristics remain constant and are as called for.

 I have raised several bulbocodium hybrids using what I grow as N. c. monophyllus. The progeny increase unusually well but I now have my doubts if what I have is truly  N. c. monophyllus. Might anyone have any insight or suggestions on how I may better “key out” what I grow? I’d love to hear of others experience with it. I am frankly confused as can be.

Does anyone have a known (ie. squeezed and blessed, rootin tootin for certain, and really identified) bulb of N. cantabricus ssp. monophyllus that might be obtainable via purchase or trade to compare with what I grow?

From a GREATLY puzzled and confused,

Steve