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/