Hyacinthus is a
small genus of bulbous flowering plants in the family Asparagaceae , subfamily Scilloideas. Plants
are commonly calledhyacinths (pronounced ). The genus was formerly the
type genus of the separate family Hyacinthaceae; prior to that it was placed in
the lily family Liliaceae. Hyacinthus is native to the
eastern Mediterranean (from south Turkey to
northern Israel),
north-east Iran,
andTurkmenistan.
Three
species are within the genus Hyacinthus:
- Hyacinthus
litwinowii
- Hyacinthus orientalis -
Common, Dutch or Garden Hyacinth
- Hyacinthus
transcaspicus
Some
authorities place H. litwonowii and H. transcaspicus in the
related genus Hyacinthella, which
would make Hyacinthus a monotypic genus.
The
Dutch, or Common Hyacinth of house and garden culture
(H. orientalis, native to
southwest Asia) was so popular in the 18th century that over 2,000 cultivars
were cultivated in the Netherlands, its chief commercial producer.
This hyacinth has a single dense spike of fragrant flowersin
shades of red, blue, white, orange, pink, violet, or yellow. A form of the
common hyacinth is the less hardy and smaller blue- or white-petalled Roman
hyacinth of florists. These flowers should have indirect sunlight and are to be
moderately watered.
Several
types of brodiea, deathcamas, squill, and
other plants that were formerly classified in the lily family and have
flower clusters borne along the stalk also
have common names with hyacinth in them. Hyacinths should also not be confused
with the genus Muscari,
which are commonly known as grape hyacinths.
Hyacinths
are sometimes associated with rebirth. The Hyacinth flower is used in the Haftseen table
setting for the Persian New Year celebration Norouz held
during the Spring Equinox.
Hyacinth
bulbs are poisonous; they contain oxalic acid.[4] Handling
hyacinth bulbs can cause mild irritation to people with sensitive skin.
Protective gloves may be worn to avoid irritation
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