Grape Hyacinth is a perennial bulbous plant which is scientifically called Muscari neglectum with other common names such as Blue Bottle, Common Grape Hyacinth, Cipollini, Edible Muscari, Grape Hyacinth, Hairy Muscari, Musk Hyacinth, Muscari, Nutmeg Hyacinth, Starch Hyacinth, Southern Grape Hyacinth, Tufted Grape Hyacinth and Starch grape hyacinth. This perennial bulbous plant is native to Eurasia. It produces dense spikes which are commonly blue and urn shaped flowers. Sometimes it is grown as an ornamental plant such as spring bulb in temperate climates. It belongs to the lily family Liliaceae. Its common name refers to the clusters of small and bell shaped blue to purple flowers which resembles the clusters of grapes. The scientific term Muscari is derived from the Greek word musk referring to the mildly sweet fragrance produced by the plant’s flowers.
Plant
The plant is herbaceous which grows to 25 cm with 2-3 by 2-2.5 cm ovoid bulbs covered with dark brown tunic. Leaves are linear to lanceolate measuring 5 to 35 cm long and 0.25 to 0.75 cm wide. Scapes are 25 cm long. Flowers are blue to purplish on 1 to 5 mm nodding pedicles. Sterile flowers are smaller and paler in comparison to fertile ones. Perianth tube is ovoid to oblong-urceolate or cylindric measuring 3 to 7 mm. The plant bears capsule as a fruit which is broadly ovate to orbicular, 5-9 × 8-10 mm having tip rounded or shortly emarginated.
How to Eat
- The blue flower buds and bulbs are used in Mediterranean cuisine.
- Flower buds and flowers are pickled in vinegar.
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