Common grape-hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum, Garden (London, 1871-1927) 1: 687 (1872))

Family: Asparagaceae

Author: H.J.Veitch

Bibliography: Garden (London, 1871-1927) 1: 687 (1872)

Year: 1872

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Muscari

Vegetable: False

Observations: SE. Europe to Caucasus

Description

The Common grape-hyacinth, a charming and resilient ornamental plant, belongs to the Asparagaceae family. Scientifically known as Muscari armeniacum, this species finds its origins in Southeastern Europe and the Caucasus region. It has been a favored addition to gardens and landscapes for well over a century, and its allure was notably chronicled by H.J. Veitch in the notable periodical “Garden” in 1872.

Muscari armeniacum is celebrated for its densely packed clusters of deep blue, bell-shaped flowers that resemble clusters of grapes, a feature that inspired its common name. Each delicate blossom is adorned with a lighter blue or white rim, adding to the visual appeal. These blossoms bloom in the spring, creating vibrant splashes of color that are visually soothing and inviting.

This hardy perennial is not only admired for its beauty but also for its ease of cultivation. It thrives in well-drained soils and is remarkably adaptable to different environmental conditions, making it a versatile choice for a variety of garden settings. Once established, it requires minimal maintenance, and its bulbs can naturalize, gradually spreading to create delightful drifts of color.

In addition to its aesthetic qualities, the Common grape-hyacinth holds cultural and historical significance in horticulture. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its intrinsic charm and the joy it brings to gardeners and nature enthusiasts alike. Whether planted en masse in garden beds, artfully arranged in rockeries, or adorning the edges of walkways, Muscari armeniacum continues to enchant and captivate those who encounter its vibrant, grape-like blossoms.

Common Names

En: Common grape-hyacinth, Garden grape-hyacinth, Armenian grape-hyacinth, Armenian grape hyacinth, Garden Grape Hyacinth, Grape hyacinth, Հայկական Յակինթ, Blue spike hyacinth
Ar: بلبوس أرمني
Hy: Պապլոր հայկական
Cs: Modřenec arménský
Da: Armensk perlehyacint
Nl: Langbladige druifhyacint
Fi: Tummahelmililja
Fr: Muscari, Muscari d’Arménie
Ka: Სომხური ყაზახა
De: Armenische Traubenhyazinthe, Armenisches Träubel
Hu: Örmény gyöngyike
Pl: Szafirek armeński
Pt-br: Jacinto-uva
Ru: Мускари армянский
Sk: Modrica arménska
Sv: Armenisk pärlhyacint
Cy: Clychau dulas yr ardd, Clychau Glas yr Ardd

Synonyms

• Muscari alexandrae (A.P.Khokhr.)
• Muscari concinnum (Baker)
• Muscari apertum (Freyn & Conrath)
• Muscari colchicum (Grossh.)
• Muscari sosnowskyi (Schchian)
• Muscari pauperulum (Stapf)
• Muscari micranthum (Baker)
• Muscari schliemannii (Freyn & Asch.)
• Botryanthus micranthus (Baker)
• Muscari woronowii (Tron & Losinsk.)
• Muscari pendulum (Trautv.)
• Muscari argaei (Anon.)
• Bellevalia aperta ((Freyn & Conrath) Grossh.)
• Botryanthus szovitsianus (Baker)
• Muscari polyanthum (Boiss.)
• Muscari elegantulum (Schchian)
• Muscari pyramidatum (Velen.)
• Pseudomuscari apertum ((Freyn & Conrath) Garbari)
• Muscari maweanum (Baker)
• Muscari conicum (Baker)
• Muscari cyaneoviolaceum (Turrill)
• Muscari argaei f. album (Tubergen)

Distribution

• Bulgaria (native)
• Greece (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Austria (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Corse (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Falkland Is. (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Mar 21, 2018 by Marine Dupré (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 28, 2021 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 30, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 25, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 25, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Mar 28, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 18, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 29, 2021 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 20, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 25, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 9, 2021 by Tyhjä Luut (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 16, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 16, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 16, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 16, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Nov 28, 2022 by C Kevin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 1, 2021 by zx123 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2021 by Mariusz Staniszewski (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2021 by Mariusz Staniszewski (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2021 by Mariusz Staniszewski (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 11, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Lydie Dufeu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 3, 2022 by Eszter Elek (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 25, 2022 by Loredana Turri (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 11, 2022 by Petr Harant (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 25, 2022 by Rita Rita (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 11, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Lydie Dufeu (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8152187)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77306704-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Muscari armeniacum Leichtlin ex Baker)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2772174)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth