Hyacinthus

Hyacinthus is a genus of bulbous flowering plants in the family Asparagaceae, native to the eastern Mediterranean region and widely cultivated as ornamentals. The best known species is Hyacinthus orientalis, commonly referred to simply as the garden hyacinth, grown for its dense, fragrant spikes of showy flowers.

Description: Hyacinths are herbaceous perennial bulbs with narrow, strap-shaped leaves. The inflorescence is a densely arranged, erect raceme bearing tube-shaped, six-lobed flowers that open in succession from the bottom to the top. Flowers come in blue, purple, pink, red, yellow, and white, are usually strongly scented, and bloom in spring in temperate regions. The plant reaches about 15-30 cm in height.

Taxonomy and distribution: The genus comprises a small number of species, all native to the eastern Mediterranean region including Turkey, the Levant, and surrounding areas. Hyacinthus orientalis is the most widely cultivated, though hybrids and cultivars have been developed for garden and pot culture. In modern classification, Hyacinthus is placed in the subfamily Scilloideae of Asparagaceae; some earlier systems treated it as Liliaceae.

Cultivation: Hyacinths are hardy for temperate climates when grown outdoors, though sited in well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. In autumn, bulbs are planted so that chilling periods occur; they flower in spring. They can also be forced in pots indoors by chilling the bulbs and providing bright, cool conditions to induce early bloom.

Myth and symbolism: In Greek myth, Hyacinthus was a youth loved by Apollo. He died when a discus struck him, and the hyacinth flower sprang from his blood. The flower has since symbolized constancy, rebirth, and sometimes sorrow, varying by culture and color.

Toxicity: The bulbs contain alkaloids and are poisonous if ingested; handling with care is advised, especially around children and pets.