Grape hyacinths

The Muscari have originated in the old world, from the Mediterranean basin, the Center and South of Europe, Northern Africa, the West, Center and South-West of Asia. The term muscari comes from the Latin muscus, since the scent is said to resemble musk.
Classified as being in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, they were formerly placed in the Liliaceae as a member of the Hyacintheae tribe. There are about forty species. These are subdivided into four groups, or subgenera; Botryanthus, Pseudomuscari, Leopoldia and Muscarimia. Leopoldia and Pseudomuscari have been considered by some authorities (e.g. Kew and Mobot) to have generic status.