Tassel Hyacinth

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Tassel Hyacinth
• grape-hyacinth
• tassel-hyacinth
• tufted grape-hyacinth
• Tufted Grape Hyacinth

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Muscari comosum subsp. monstrosum
• Bellevalia tenuiflora subsp. constricta
• Muscari comosum subsp. holzmannii
• Leopoldia anguliflora
• Etheiranthus milleri
• Muscari longissimum
• Hyacinthus monstrosus
• Hyacinthus plumosus
• Muscari constrictum
• Muscari bulgaricum
• Muscari charrellii
• Scilla monstrosa
• Bellevalia sartoriana subsp. pharmacusana
• Muscari comosum f. monstrosum
• Bellevalia calandriniana
• Etheiranthus constrictus
• Bellevalia bouriana
• Eubotrys comosus
• Muscari cretensium
• Bellevalia comosa
• Muscari comosum subsp. courtilleri
• Muscari cousturieri
• Bellevalia holzmannii var. curta
• Muscari calandrinianum
• Bellevalia pharmacusana
• Muscari courtilleri
• Bellevalia pinardii
• Bellevalia sartoriana
• Muscari curtum
• Bellevalia graeca
• Muscari paniculatum
• Bellevalia graminifolia
• Muscari pinardii
• Bellevalia holzmannii
• Muscari sartorianum
• Muscari pyramidale
• Muscari segusianum
• Muscari bouvianum
• Muscari pharmacusanum
• Muscari trojanum
• Muscari giennense
• Muscari graminifolium
• Muscari graecum
• Muscari monstrosum
• Muscari holzmannii
• Leopoldia calandriniana
• Leopoldia bouviana
• Leopoldia bormaniana
• Leopoldia comosa
• Leopoldia holzmannii
• Leopoldia curta
• Leopoldia clusiana
• Leopoldia graeca
• Leopoldia graminifolia
• Leopoldia sartoriana
• Leopoldia pinardii
• Leopoldia pharmacusana
• Leopoldia trojana
• Leopoldia constricta
• Leopoldia pyramidalis
• Hyacinthus comosus
• Hyacinthus paniculatus
• Pelotris paniculatus
• Scilla comosa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified in the order Asparagales and the family Asparagaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Muscari.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad presence across several key regions within the European continent. In Northern Europe, its range extends through the landscapes of Denmark and Great Britain. Moving toward Middle Europe, the species can be found growing in the natural habitats of Austria. Its distribution also encompasses the territory of Belgium within the central part of the continent. Finally, the plant is well-established in the regions of Czechia and Slovakia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Muscari comosum is characterized by its ability to thrive across a broad vertical gradient, occupying an elevational range that extends from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 1800 m AMSL. This species is typically found in diverse transitional landscapes, specifically favoring the ecotones of forest edges, open meadows, and mountainous terrains. These habitats provide the necessary structural complexity and varying light availability required for its growth, allowing it to colonize both sheltered woodland margins and more exposed alpine environments.

Elevational range max:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest edges, meadows, mountains

Life history

The life history of Muscari comosum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. It functions as a geophyte, utilizing specialized underground storage organs to survive unfavorable environmental conditions, which aligns with its classification as a cryptophyte. This plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its above-ground foliage during its dormant period to conserve energy and moisture.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Muscari comosum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, and it grows as an independent organism rather than a parasite. The plant is terrestrial in nature, neither aquatic nor epiphytic. In terms of stature, it exhibits a variable plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 0.9 m, with an average height of approximately 0.425 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.9 m

Plant height mean:

0.425 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Muscari comosum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, relying on soil-based nutrient uptake rather than the capture of prey. Its vegetative structure features linear leaf forms, which are morphologically adapted to its environmental needs, with leaf widths ranging from a minimum of 0.8 cm to a maximum of 2.5 cm.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

linear

Leaf width max:

2.5 cm

Leaf width min:

0.8 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Muscari comosum is characterized by a sexual cycle facilitated by biotic pollination. The plant produces blue flowers arranged in a raceme inflorescence, with individual flowers measuring between 0.4 cm and 0.6 cm in width and 0.6 cm to 0.9 cm in length. The pollination syndrome is predominantly biotic, specifically involving insects such as bees. Self-fertilization is absent in this species, necessitating these insect visitors for successful reproduction. Following pollination, the plant develops dry, dehiscence-type fruit in the form of a capsule. The resulting seeds are quite small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.00579 g (ranging from 0.00579 g to 0.0059 g). The dispersal of these seeds is classified as hydrochorous, relying on water for movement. The flowering period typically begins in May and concludes in July. Notably, asexual reproduction is absent in this species, making it entirely dependent on its sexual reproductive processes for propagation.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Flower colour :

blue

Flower length max:

0.9 cm

Flower length min:

0.6 cm

Flower width max:

0.6 cm

Flower width min:

0.4 cm

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit type :

capsule

Inflorescence :

raceme

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.0059 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00579 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Muscari comosum has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CA, CU, FE, Flavonoids, MG.

CA

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

CU

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

FE

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Flavonoids

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

MG

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Tannins

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

na

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

p-

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

polyphenols

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Activities

Muscari comosum has 3 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antioxidant.

Antibacterial

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antidiabetic

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antioxidant

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM