Feather hyacinth, Tassel Grape Hyacinth, Tufted Grape Hyacinth
Leopoldia comosa

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

A perennial herb. It grows to 0.45 m tall and spreads to 0.3 m wide. The stem is erect and has flowers. The bulb is about 35 mm across. The leaves are narrow and long. The flowers are greenish brown on the lower part of the flower stalk and purple or blue on the upper part. The flowers point upwards and occur at the tip of the plant.

There are about 30 Muscari species. Also put in the family Hyacinthaceae.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It suits light soils which are well drained but moist. It needs a sheltered position and can grow in light shade. It can survive frost but cannot tolerate drought. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Arabia, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Belgium, Britain, Bulgaria, Central Africa, Congo, Crete, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Europe, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Israel, Italy, Liberia, Libya, Mediterranean, Middle East, Moldova, Morocco, Netherlands, North Africa, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Sicily, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Syria, Tasmania, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, West Africa, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The bulbs cooked and preserved in oil are used in relish. The stems and leaves are eaten as a green vegetable. The bulb is collected before flowering and boiled or fried then eaten. It is used in omelettes, soups and sauces. It can be roasted or preserved in vinegar. It can replace onions.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. The preserved bulbs are sold in markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, bulbs - spice, vegetable

How it is grown

It is grown by dividing the bulbs. This is done after the leaves have died down. It can be sown from seed. The seed germinate in 2-3 months. Seedlings need to be left undisturbed for the first year then the small bulbs can be replanted.

Its other names

Local names

Askardulakas, Askordoulaki, Cav sink, Cippolini, Cipudduzze, Cipullun', Lampascione, Lazoul, Volvi, Vrovioi

Synonyms

Bellevalia bouriana Heldr. ex Nyman; Bellevalia calandriniana (Parl.) Nyman; Bellevalia comosa (L.) Kunth; Bellevalia graeca Heldr.; Bellevalia graminifolia Nyman; Bellevalia holzmannii Heldr.; Bellevalia pharmacusana (Heldr.) Nyman; Bellevalia pinardii Boiss.; Bellevalia sartoriana (Heldr.) Nyman; Etheiranthus constrictus (Tausch) Kostel.; Etheiranthus milleri Kostel.; Eubotrys comosa (L.) Raf.; Hyacinthus comosus L.; Hyacinthus fuliginosus Pall.; Hyacinthus monstrosus L.; Hyacinthus paniculatus Lam.; Leopoldia anguliflora Lojac.; Leopoldia bormaniana Lojac.; Leopoldia bouviana Heldr. ex Nyman; Leopoldia calandriniana Parl.; Leopoldia clusiana Heldr. ex Nyman; Leopoldia constricta Heldr.; Leopoldia curta Heldr.; Leopoldia graeca (Heldr.) Heldr.; and several other Leopoldia Muscari comosum (L.) Mill.; and several other Muscari; Scilla comosa (L.) Salisb.; Scilla monstrosa (L.) Salisb.;