Sky blue grape hyacinth
| Sky blue grape hyacinth | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sky-blue grape hyacinth ( Muscari azureum ), illustration. |
||||||||||||
| Systematics | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Muscari azureum | ||||||||||||
| Fenzl |
The sky-blue grape hyacinth or false hyacinth ( Muscari azureum ) is a species of plant in the genus of grape hyacinths ( Muscari ) from the asparagus family (Asparagaceae).
features
The sky-blue grape hyacinth is a perennial geophyte that reaches heights of 7 to 15, rarely up to 20 centimeters. At the time of fruiting the plant is taller. There are usually two, rarely three basal leaves . They are parallel-veined, have a strong central nerve, are blue-green on top, 6 to 18 inches long and 0.3 to 1.5 inches wide.
The inflorescence stem is 6 to 20 cm high. The 20 to 60 fertile and sterile flowers are in a dense, 1 to 3 centimeter long racemose inflorescence . The fertile flower is bell-shaped, not contracted at the end, 4 to 5 centimeters long, 2.5 to 3 centimeters wide and sky blue, with darker longitudinal stripes. The few sterile flowers are smaller and lighter. The perigone lobes are the same color.
The flowering time is in March, sometimes also in April.
The number of chromosomes is 2n = 18.
Occurrence
This species occurs in Turkey with the exception of the western and northeastern parts of the country. It can be found on rocky subalpine slopes and pastures, as well as on alpine lakes at altitudes of 1500 to 2600 meters, sometimes together with pine ( Pinus ) and juniper ( Juniperus ).
use
The sky blue grape hyacinth is rarely used as an ornamental plant in rock gardens. She has been in culture since 1856. The cultivar 'Albus' has white flowers. The 'Amphibolis' variety is early flowering and has larger, lighter flowers.
Synonyms
Outdated names, i.e. synonyms , are Hyacinthus azureus (Fenzl) Baker , Hyacinthella azurea (Fenzl) Chouard , Pseudomuscari azureum (Fenzl) Garbari & Greuter , Bellevalia azurea (Fenzl) Boiss.
literature
- Eckehart J. Jäger, Friedrich Ebel, Peter Hanelt, Gerd K. Müller (eds.): Rothmaler excursion flora from Germany. Volume 5: Herbaceous ornamental and useful plants . Spectrum Academic Publishing House, Berlin Heidelberg 2008, ISBN 978-3-8274-0918-8 .
- Description. (English, accessed April 28, 2008)