What is this bulb's name? and Bellevalia forniculata
Dell Sherk (Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:04:38 PDT)

Hi Jim,

I happen to love muscari. They are less prone to deer predation than some
other spring bulbs, and when they naturalize into clumps or mini drifts,
they are beautiful. I also have Bellevalia pycnantha (sp?), and your
description sounds like that one exactly. Here now, most of the Muscaris are
in bloom, but B. pycnantha and B. romana are not yet showing any signs of
flowers.

On the topic of Bellevalia, I would love to hear about B. forniculata:
sources for seed, sources for bulbs, cultivation advice. It appears from the
photos to have flowers of a shade of blue that resembles some muscaris and
some of the corydalis cultivars.

Look forward to hearing from you,
Dell

-----Original Message-----
From: pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org]
On Behalf Of James Waddick
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2009 6:22 PM
To: Pacific Bulb Society
Subject: [pbs] What is this bulb's name?

Dear Friends,
Sorry to admit I am not much of a fan of Grape hyacinths.
They are just there. At least M armeniacum.

I do however like my small clump of M. botryoides album which
blooms a clean white, tiny and reliable each year.

And this mystery plant I bought as Muscari paradoxa. The
flowers heads are outrageous large -for a Muscari - deep dark blue
and the plant over all is 'large ' - for a Muscari. I am wondering
if it is in fact a Bellevalia or is it B pycnantha?

I am confused.

I read Alberto's discussion of the genus
http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbslist/old.php/… and
think I may actually have the real B. paradoxa, but I am far from
certain. They came from a reliable bulb seller in the UK as Muscari
paradoxa though.

Can anyone provide a few key characters. Especially dividing
Muscari from Bellevalia and B. pycnantha from B. paradoxa.

Many thanks for input. Jim W.

--
Dr. James W. Waddick
8871 NW Brostrom Rd.
Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711
USA
Ph. 816-746-1949
Zone 5 Record low -23F
Summer 100F +

_______________________________________________
pbs mailing list
pbs@lists.ibiblio.org
http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php
http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/