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Muscari comosum
It is a perennial bulbous plant. Usually called the Tassel Hyacinth, it is one of a number of species and genera also known as Grape Hyacinths. It has a tuft of bright blue to violet-blue sterile flowers above brownish-green fertile flowers, which open from dark blue buds. The flower stem is 20 – 60 cm tall; individual flowers are borne on long stalks, purple in the case of the sterile upper flowers. Mature fertile flowers are 5 – 10 mm long with stalks of this length or more and are bell-shaped, opening at the mouth, where there are paler lobes. The linear leaves are 5 – 15 mm wide, with a central channel.
It is found in rocky ground and cultivated areas, such as cornfields and vineyards, in south-east Europe to Turkey and Iran, but has naturalized elsewhere. This specimen was found in an ancient Roman quarry.
It is eaten in Mediterranean countries under the name Cipollini, and is grown for this purpose. Other names: Tassel Hyacinth, Tufted Grape Hyacinth, Hairy Muscari and Edible Muscari.
Spotted on Apr 25, 2013
Submitted on Apr 25, 2013
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