- Muscari armeniacum
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Muscari armeniacum 
Flowering plants Scientific classification 
Kingdom: Plantae clade: Angiosperms clade: Monocots Order: Asparagales Family: Asparagaceae Subfamily: Scilloideae Genus: Muscari Species: M. armeniacum Binomial name Muscari armeniacum
LeichtlinMuscari armeniacum is an bulbous plant of the genus Muscari with basal, simple leaves and short, flowering stems. It is one of a number of species and genera known as Grape Hyacinth, in this case Armenian Grape Hyacinth.[1] The flowers are purple, blue (with a white fringe), or white and the plants are usually 15 centimetres (6 in) tall. M. armeniacum blooms in mid-Spring (April or May in the Northern Hemisphere) for 3-4 weeks. Some selections are fragrant. Established bulbs leaf in the autumn. M. armeniacum is widespread in the woods and meadows of the Eastern Mediterranean, from Greece and Turkey to the Caucasus.[2]
Cultivation
M. armeniacum is one of the most commonly cultivated species of Muscari and naturalises easily.[3] It appeared in European gardens in 1871.[4] Cultivars include 'Argaei Album', 'Album', 'Blue Spike', 'Cantab', 'Côte d'Azur', 'Dark Eyes, 'Early Giant', 'Fantasy Creation', 'Peppermint', 'Saphir', and 'Valerie Finnis'. The commonly available form is often referred to as M. armeniacum 'Blue'.[5]
'Blue Spike' is a double flowered variety, with double florets on the flower stalk.[6] 'Fantasy Creation' is a sport (a naturally occurring genetic mutation) of 'Blue Spike'. [7]
References
- ^ Grey-Wilson, Christopher; Mathew, Brian & Blamey, Marjorie (1981), Bulbs : the bulbous plants of Europe and their allies, London: Collins, ISBN 978-0-00-219211-8, p. 115
- ^ Pacific Bulb Society: Muscari
- ^ Mathew, Brian (1987), The Smaller Bulbs, London: B.T. Batsford, ISBN 978-0-7134-4922-8, pp. 126
- ^ Paghat's Garden: Armenian Grape Hyacinth
- ^ Plant Expert: Muscari
- ^ Northern Shade Gardening: Blue Muscari
- ^ Martin Philippo: Muscaripages - Fantasy Creation
Sources
Categories:- Scilloideae
- Flora of Armenia
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