Muscari racemosum is the binomial of the Hycinth. It is named for muscari which is Greek for musk.
The bulbs are poisonous (oxalic acid) so animals will not dig them up to eat. Those with sensitive skin may wish to used gloves when handling the bulbs to prevent a rash.
The Greeks had legends concerning the origins of many flowers.
They are native to southern Turkey and northern Israel.
There is a Greek legend that has several variations. Essentially Hyacinth was the favorite friend of Apollo and was loved by Zephyr who was the west wind. The jealous Zeyphyr saw the two friends throwing a discus for distance in a competition. Angrily Zephyr blew the discus into the head of Hyacinth causing a terrible gash from which blood rushed. Apollo could not stop the bleeding. Where the blood of the dying Hyacinth fell beautiful flowers grew. This is because Apollo would not allow Hyacinth to go to Hades so, instead, Hyacinth became a beautiful flower.
The Hyacinth is not native to Greece so the actual flower called a hyacinth would possible be another flower.
There is an old British comedy called Keeping Up Appearances. The main character is named Hyacinthus. She and her sisters are all named for flowers. Her sisters are Rose, violet and Daisy. This is a totally disfunctional family. Some who have watched the show would believe that their whole little world is disfunctional. Many on the show admire the husband for putting up with Hyacinthus. Everyone in the show tries to avoid her. You might want to Google the show: Keeping Up Appearances.
At this time, May 3, the writer's summer hyacinths are in full bloom behind grape hyacinths in bloom interspersed with the blooming of the pale blue tinted petals of ipheion (spring star flower).
The bulbs are poisonous (oxalic acid) so animals will not dig them up to eat. Those with sensitive skin may wish to used gloves when handling the bulbs to prevent a rash.
The Greeks had legends concerning the origins of many flowers.
They are native to southern Turkey and northern Israel.
There is a Greek legend that has several variations. Essentially Hyacinth was the favorite friend of Apollo and was loved by Zephyr who was the west wind. The jealous Zeyphyr saw the two friends throwing a discus for distance in a competition. Angrily Zephyr blew the discus into the head of Hyacinth causing a terrible gash from which blood rushed. Apollo could not stop the bleeding. Where the blood of the dying Hyacinth fell beautiful flowers grew. This is because Apollo would not allow Hyacinth to go to Hades so, instead, Hyacinth became a beautiful flower.
The Hyacinth is not native to Greece so the actual flower called a hyacinth would possible be another flower.
There is an old British comedy called Keeping Up Appearances. The main character is named Hyacinthus. She and her sisters are all named for flowers. Her sisters are Rose, violet and Daisy. This is a totally disfunctional family. Some who have watched the show would believe that their whole little world is disfunctional. Many on the show admire the husband for putting up with Hyacinthus. Everyone in the show tries to avoid her. You might want to Google the show: Keeping Up Appearances.
At this time, May 3, the writer's summer hyacinths are in full bloom behind grape hyacinths in bloom interspersed with the blooming of the pale blue tinted petals of ipheion (spring star flower).