Hyacinth

Hyacinth — A Hyacinth is any plant of genus Hyacinthus, which are bulbous herbs formerly placed in the lily family Liliaceae but now regarded as the type genus of the separate family Hyacinthaceae. Hyacinths are native to the eastern Mediterranean region east to Iran and Turkmenistan. Hyacinths are sometimes associated with rebirth. The Hyacinth flower is used in the Haftseen table setting for the Persian New Year celebration Norouz held during the Spring Equinox.

The fragrant flowers appear in early spring and are blue, pink, or white. The common garden hyacinth is cultivated to a minor extent in Holland for the perfumery trade. However, most hyacinth perfume sold is synthetic, based primarily upon phenylacetaldehyde.