MUSCA'RI COMO'SUM. mcnstrosum. 
FEATHERED GRAPE-HYACINTH. 
Class. ' Order. 
HEXANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. 
Natural Order. 
ASPHODELE J2. 
Native of 
Height. 
Flowers in 
Duration. 
Cultivated 
S. Europe. 
1 foot. 
April, May. 
Perennial. 
in 1596. 
No. 222. 
The term Muscari is derived, according to old 
writers, from the Greek muscos, smelling of musk. 
This odour is somewhat predominant in one or two 
of the species of Muscari, which are tolerably fra- 
grant. Comosum, from the Latin, signifying full 
of branches or leaves. 
This plant is supposed to have been produced by 
seeds of the Tasselled Hyacinth, the Muscari como- 
sum; therefore of such species the present subject is 
considered but a variety. This must be received 
as conjecture only, since the English botanists of the 
sixteenth century, knew no more than ourselves of 
its origin. 
It is a bulbous plant, very generally admired for 
its beauty and singularity; and certainly, from the 
first appearance of its solid head, to the complete 
expansion of its filamentous panicle, it is a singular 
monstrosity; very unlike the usual character of 
flowers, but not inferior in attraction. 
This plant succeeds in any common garden soil, 
in any aspect. Its bulbs may be removed as soon 
as the leaves are decayed, in August, or at any time 
during the Autumn. 
Hort. Kew. 2, v.2, 283. 
