HYACINTH

any ornamental plant of the genus Hyacinthus of the family Liliaceae, consisting of about 30 species of bulbous herbs 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 that usually are blue but may be pink, white, or other colours in cultivated varieties. The flowers are borne in a cluster at the top of the leafless stems, and each flower stalk has a small bract (leaflike structure) below it. also spelled Jacinth, a red, orange, or yellow variety of the gemstone zircon (q.v.).