wild hyacinth: see brodiea; camass; squill.

water hyacinth: see pickerelweed.

hyacinth, any plant of the genus Hyacinthus, bulbous herbs of the family Liliaceae (lily family) native to the Mediterranean region and South Africa. The common, or Dutch, hyacinth of house and garden culture (derived from H. orientalis of the NE Mediterranean) became so popular in the 18th cent. that 2,000 kinds were said to be in cultivation in Holland, the chief commercial producer. This hyacinth has a single dense spike of fragrant flowers in shades of red, blue, white, or yellow. A variety of the common hyacinth is the less hardy and smaller blue- or white-flowered Roman hyacinth (var. albulus) of florists. The flower of the Greek youth Hyacinth has been identified with a number of plants (e.g., iris) other than the true hyacinth. The related grape hyacinths (Muscari), sometimes called baby's-breath, are very low, mostly blue-flowered herbs similar in appearance to hyacinths and also commonly cultivated. Types of brodiea, camass, squill, and other lily-family plants with flower clusters borne along the stalk are also called hyacinth. Hyacinths are classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Liliopsida, order Liliales, family Liliaceae.

grape hyacinth, any plant of the genus Muscari of the family Liliaceae (lily family), low plants with dense spikelike clusters of small, nodding flowers that are usually deep blue. Of more than 50 Old World species several have been successfully cultivated and naturalized in the United States and are especially popular as rock-garden plants. Grape hyacinths are classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Liliopsida, order Liliales, family Liliaceae.

Hyacinth or Hyacinthus, in Greek mythology, beautiful youth loved by Apollo. He was killed accidentally by a discus thrown by the god. According to another legend, the wind god Zephyr, out of jealousy, blew the discus to kill Hyacinth. From his blood sprang a flower which was named for him.

Any of about five species of aquatic plants that make up the genus Eichhornia of the pickerelweed family (Pontederiaceae). They are native mainly to the New World tropics. Some species float in shallow water; others are rooted in muddy streambanks and lakeshores. All have slender rootstocks, feathery roots, rosettes of stalked leaves, and flowers arranged in spikes or clusters. The common water hyacinth (E. crassipes) is the most widespread. The leafstalk is spongy and inflated, and the upper lobes of its purple flowers have blue and yellow markings. It reproduces quickly, often clogging slow-flowing streams. It is used as an ornamental in outdoor pools and aquariums.

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Any of the approximately 30 species of bulbous ornamental herbaceous plants that make up the genus Hyacinthus (lily family), native primarily to the Mediterranean region and tropical Africa. The common garden hyacinths are derived from H. orientalis. Most species have narrow, untoothed leaves at the base of the plant and fragrant flowers (usually blue, but sometimes pink, white, or other colors in cultivated varieties) borne in a cluster at the top of the leafless stems. Seealso grape hyacinth.

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Any of the approximately 50 species of small bulbous perennial plants that make up the genus Muscari, in the lily family, native to the Mediterranean region. Most species have dense clusters of blue, white, or pink urn-shaped flowers borne at the tip of a leafless flower stalk. Some species have a musky odour. Grape hyacinths often are planted as spring-flowering garden ornamentals.

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