Persian musk – the scent-gland of a musk deer, referring to the odour of some species.
Perennial, bulbous herb. Leaves basal, often spotted. Flowers radially symmetrical, tubular-bellshaped, stalked, individual flower stalks not articulated. Inflorescence a flexuous axillary raceme, often with some apical flowers sterile.Tepals 3+3, 1-nerved, free. Stamens 6, attached to tepal bases. Ovary superior. Fruit a conical capsule. Seeds drop-shaped, black.
About 50 species mostly from temperate and Mediterranean Europe to Asia Minor.
Flowers less than 2 cm long; ovary usually with 2 ovules per chamber.
Cowley et al. (1994); Johnson et al. (1996).
Source: (2005). Ledebouria. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.