Grape-hyacinth

Grape-hyacinth (Muscári), a genus of bulbous-rooted plants, of the natural order Liliaceæ, nearly allied to the hyacinths, but differing in the globose or subcylindrical perianth, contracted at the mouth, and 6-toothed. The species are natives chiefly of the countries near the Mediterranean, and the warmer temperate parts of Asia. Most of them are now frequent in our flower-borders. M. moschatum has a smell of musk. M. racemosum, popularly named Starch Hyacinth, is a somewhat doubtful native of the south-eastern countries—having, it is believed, escaped from gardens—of England. The flowers of the grape-hyacinths are mostly normally blue, but there are pure white varieties of some species.