Practical
Plants

Muscari comosum

Tassel Hyacinth

a member of the Muscari genus in the family Hyacinthaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Muscari
Height
0.45 m
Spread
0.1 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects, Self

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Bulb - cooked[6][11][4]. It is about 35mm in diameter[5]. A slightly bitter taste[12] that is appreciated by certain ethnic groups, especially Greeks and Italians[4]. Used in spring[9][3]. The cooked bulbs, preserved in oil, are used as a relish[4].

Plant part
Root

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The bulb is appetizer and diuretic[12][4]. The bulb is rich in mucilage and can be crushed then applied as a poultice to reddened skin[12].

Product or use
Appetizer
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Poultice

Environment

Range
Europe. A frequent casual, rarely naturalized in Britain[2].
Habitat
Hedgerows, edges of fields, woods and in short grass on dry soils[12][10].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as ripe in a greenhouse[5]. The seed can also be sown in early spring in a greenhouse. A good proportion of the seed usually germinates within 2 - 3 months. Sow the seed thinly so that the seedlings can be left undisturbed in the pot for their first year of growth. Give them an occasional liquid feed in the growing season to ensure they do not become nutrient deficient. When the plants become dormant in late summer, pot up the small bulbs placing 2 - 3 bulbs in each pot. Grow them on for another one or two years in the greenhouse before planting them out when they are dormant in late summer. If you have sufficient seed then it is worthwhile trying sowing it in situ outdoors in early spring. This is rather a hit and miss method, but a lot less work than indoor sowing. Division of offsets in July/August after the leaves die down[1]. It can be done every other year if a quick increase is required[1]. Larger bulbs can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, but it is best to pot up the smaller bulbs and grow them on in a cold frame for a year before planting them out when they are dormant in late summer.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a rich open well-drained soil[1]. Succeeds in any soil and situation[1][8]. Does very well in short grass[1], increasing freely and it can become invasive[5]. The flowers have a pleasing perfume[7]. There is at least one named form, selected for its ornamental value[5].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

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  3. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  4. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  6. Sholto-Douglas. J. Alternative Foods.

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  7. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

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  8. Grey. C. H. Hardy Bulbs. Williams & Norgate. 1938-00-00

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  9. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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  10. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

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  11. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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  12. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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