ORNAMENTAL PLANTS OF HORTICULTURE VALUE

Selection of perennials

40 to 60 species, depending on classification, in the Mediterranean region and in West Asia. In the FSU 15 species in the Caucasus. However, this treatment accepted in Cherepanov’s Checklist differs greatly from those published in Floras for adjacent countries.

M. armeniacum Leichtl. ex Baker (M. colchicum Grossh., M. szovitsianum Baker).

Caucasus, Balkan Peninsula and Asia Minor. Grassy mountain slopes up to 2,000 m.

Stout scapes 15-25 cm. Bulb 2-3 cm diam., light brown. Leaves in rosette, 3-5, linear, 0.5-0.8 cm wide, 15-20 cm long, slightly glaucous above. Flowers numerous, in short raceme. Flowers 0.5 cm long, dark or sometimes light blue with white teeth. V - early spring to mid summer, in St Petersburg April to July. Fl - May. Fr - June. P - by seed (self-sowing) and by offset bulblets. Does well in sunny places and also in shady sites. Recommended for group planting. Z 4 (3).

M. dolichanthum Woronow et Tron

Caucasus (West Trancaucasus). Alpine meadows, grassy slopes.

Scape 15-20 cm. Bulb ovate, dark brown, up to 3 cm diam. Leaves broadly linear, sulcate, procumbent, 30-60 cm, overwintering. Basal parts of leaves and stout scape reddish brown. Flowers 0.6-1.0 cm long, perianth bright blue with white declined teeth; limb slightly narrowed. V - early spring to mid summer. Fl - May. Fr - June. P - by seed and by daughter bulbs. Z 5 (4). New.

M. neglectum Guss. (M. racemosum (L.) DC.).

The Caucasus, Central Asia, Central and southern Europe, northern Africa and the Middle East. Foothills, forests, grassy mountain slopes.

Scape 10-30 cm. Bulb cordate, brown, 2 cm diam. Leaves 3-7, narrow, lanceolate, 15-20 cm x 0.3-0.5 cm. Flowers 0.5 cm long, perianth dark-violet with white declined tips. Terminal sterile flowers azure. V - from early spring to mid summer. Autumn generation of leaves (August-September) remains till July of next year. Fl - May. Fr - June. P - by seed and the daughter bulbs produced every year in large quantities.

Caucasian authors record other species many of which included by Western treatment in M. armeniacum, e.g. M. alpanicum Schchian, M. elegantulum Schchian, M. grossheimii Schchian (M. neglectum), M. pendulum Trautv., M. polyanthum Boiss., M. sosnowskyi Schchian.