Muscari armeniacum

Armenian grape hyacinth ( Muscari armeniacum )

The Armenian grape hyacinth ( Muscari armeniacum ) is a plant of the genus Muscari Hyacinth (Muscari ) of the family of asparagus plants ( Asparagaceae ).

Features

The Armenian grape hyacinth is reached centimeters a year early autumn green, perennial bulb plant, the growth heights of 10 to 20 ( 40). It makes only a few bulblets. The usually 3-5, rarely 2-7 leaves are bright green, linear, lying and measure 10 to 25 × 0.2 to 0.5 ( 1) inch. The inflorescence is a 2.5 to 7.5 centimeters in size, density, loose the heyday grape. Fertile flowers are pale blue, verkehrteiförmig and measure 3.5 to 5.5 × 2.3 to 3.5 millimeters. The less than 20 sterile flowers are smaller, lighter and blue. Except for the flower color Armenian grape hyacinth strongly resembles the vineyard grape hyacinth ( Muscari neglectum ), in contrast to this, however, the flowers are bright azure colored and not frosted. Since darken faded flowers is the Armenian grape hyacinth barely distinguishable as a voucher specimen from most other species of the genus Muscari.

The flowering period is in April.

Dissemination

The natural range of the Armenian grape hyacinth covers the Balkans, Greece, Turkey, with the exception of the South East, the Caucasus and Transcaucasia. Here, the species grows on rocky - gravelly grass slopes, forest edges and in Juniperus bushes at altitudes 700-2400 m. It is often found on limestone, serpentine and slate. In Central Europe it is regarded as naturalized neophyte.

Use

The Armenian grape hyacinth is widely used as an ornamental plant for borders, borders and natural gardens as well as a cut flower. The species is in cultivation since at least 1877. There are several varieties, such as 'Album' with white flowers and 'Blue Spike' with branched inflorescence and large flowers.