Grape-hyacinth identification

[davidbr]

I'm hoping someone can help me ID the Grape-hyacinths (Muscari sp.) I've come across so far this Spring, because I can't decide whether they're Garden (M. armeniacus), Compact (M. botryoides) or even the "native" M. neglectum, which is apparently also grown in gardens!

All these pictures are from the south-west and garden escapes/naturalised plants, and they're all from different sites...

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4:

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6:

[leifus]

to get the ball rolling......6 is garden g.h.

[Tiggrx]

I would have said that they all are Garden Grape-hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum). It is much the commonest species both in gardens and as an escape. I only rarely see Muscari neglectum as an escape, and have only ever found M. botryoides once - in it's commonly grown white form. The blue form of M. botryoides is rarely grown.

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

Without meaning to hyjack your post David, what do people think of this one. It was tiny only 6cm tall and looks very different to the ones I have in the garden. Any thoughts...

[davidbr]

Originally Posted by Tiggrx

I would have said that they all are Garden Grape-hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum). It is much the commonest species both in gardens and as an escape. I only rarely see Muscari neglectum as an escape, and have only ever found M. botryoides once - in it's commonly grown white form. The blue form of M. botryoides is rarely grown.

From the pictures I've managed to find, I don't think any are M. neglectum, since they don't show the difference in colour between sterile & fertile flowers that's meant to be the clinching feature.

The one I was especially interested in, though, was No. 4, because it looks identical to the photo & description of M. botryoides here in the Interactive Flora of NW Europe, in particular the description of the leaves which looked totally different to the Muscari plants I've found as garden chuck-outs in urban wasteland etc. This one was taken at Mells Manor, in Somerset, where they've probably been established for many years.

But, as I say, I just can't manage to convince myself either way

[Tiggrx]

Originally Posted by davidbr

From the pictures I've managed to find, I don't think any are M. neglectum, since they don't show the difference in colour between sterile & fertile flowers that's meant to be the clinching feature.

The one I was especially interested in, though, was No. 4, because it looks identical to the photo & description of M. botryoides here in the Interactive Flora of NW Europe, in particular the description of the leaves which looked totally different to the Muscari plants I've found as garden chuck-outs in urban wasteland etc. This one was taken at Mells Manor, in Somerset, where they've probably been established for many years.

But, as I say, I just can't manage to convince myself either way

I did look twice at number 4. It looks to be the same as a plant which I have in my garden which originally came from a friend's garden where it had been since not sure when. I have tried to make this into M. botryoides in the past, but never convinced myself and had decided it was a form of M. armeniacum. I will check if it is out yet and have another try this year.

You may find this site interesting MUSCARIPAGES

[Tiggrx]

Originally Posted by Scarlet Pimpernel

Without meaning to hyjack your post David, what do people think of this one. It was tiny only 6cm tall and looks very different to the ones I have in the garden. Any thoughts...

It is still in bud so may become bigger/taller as it matures. I would think it likely to be Muscari armeniacum, but not 100% sure.