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Common Name: Tassel Hyacinth

General Information

Muscari comosum is a Bulb up to 0.45 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Europe. A frequent casual, rarely naturalized in Britain[].

Habitat

Hedgerows, edges of fields, woods and in short grass on dry soils[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Bulb
Height	0.45 m
Pollinators	Insects, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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

Edible Uses

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

Medicinal

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

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as ripe in a greenhouse[]. 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 mid summer after the leaves die down[]. It can be done every other year if a quick increase is required[]. 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.