Which bulb is this?

[WimB]

Could anyone tell me what's the name of this small bulb?

[Tony Willis]

it looks like Scilla bythinica

[WimB]

Hi Tony,

it could be Scilla bythinica but the person I got it from was quite sure it isn't a Scilla but it's in the same family. I really have no clue...

[Paul T]

I don't grow that species, but I would certainly have thought it was a Scilla.  Then again there are a couple of things that used to be in other genus that are now becoming Scillas as well aren't there?  Maybe they knew it under an old name and it is now a Scilla?

[WimB]

Yes,

the first time I saw it I thought it was a Scilla too but I don't know enough about that genus to be sure. I'll plant it out with a label: "Scilla?" 

[mark smyth]

I would like to tag on to this query.

Can anyone ID these two bulbs that are flowering now?

[Tiggrx]

I would like to tag on to this query.

Can anyone ID these two bulbs that are flowering now?

Mark,
wondered if the first could be Hyacinthoides italica, if so it would have two bracts per flower. I think from the picture that there is only one bract, but it might be worth looking into.

[Paul T]

Mark,

Could the second one be Muscari armenaicum neglectum?  I think I have the right species name there.  It certainly looks to be a Muscari or something closely related anyway.

Added a bit later : Thought about it some more and corrected my name.  The more I thought about it the more I thought the armenaicum was wrong.  The neglectum might still be incorrect, but it is the name I was "trying" to think of in the first place. 

[mark smyth]

Thanks Paul. I'll look it up later. It's a big plant so I should take measurements later. After many years it hasnt increased from the original two bulbs. It's almost black to the eye

[Oron Peri]

Hi Mark

I agree with Paul that it is Muscari neglectum.
Regarding the Scilla it looks to me like S. verna also for the fact that it has a single showy bract.

[mark smyth]

Thanks Oron.

Can Muscari be chipped like Galanthus and Narcissus?

[Oron Peri]

Mark, usually i don't take this risk if i have only one or two bulbs.

Often i leave 90% of the bulb out of the soil or lay it on the side,  in most cases it stimulates the mother bulb to produce many new bulblets.

In some species if you just plant it close to the surface it gives the same result.

[mark smyth]

thanks

[WimB]

The person I got this bulb from tells me it is a Ledebouria?

[Maggi Young]

The person I got this bulb from tells me it is a Ledebouria?

I would think the leaves very much suggest a Scilla rather than any Ledebouria, Wim.