Bellevalia paradoxa is a bulb forming plant in the genus Bellevalia of the family Asparagaceae, formerly classified in the genus Muscari, under which name it is commonly sold as Muscari paradoxum.
Bulbs are globose-ovoid, 1.5âÂÂ2 cm long and 1âÂÂ3 cm wide. Leaves 2âÂÂ3, linear, narrowed at the base, with pointed tips, long. The inflorescence is racemose, the petals 10âÂÂ15 over a 1âÂÂ2 cm brush, dark purple, with a perianth 0.5âÂÂ0.6 cm long and 0.2âÂÂ0.3 cm wide, anthers 0.6âÂÂ1 mm, yellow. Bellevalia paradoxa blooms in late April, blooming for up to 25 days. In contrast to plant in the genus Muscari the flowers are campanulate, not rounded.
Eastern and north-eastern Turkey and Georgia, in mountain pastures, fields, rocky areas, and wet meadows at altitudes of above sea level.
It is widely cultivated as an ornamental garden plant of the grape hyacinth class. It is hardy to USDA Hardiness Zones 7âÂÂ9. It is best grown in relatively dry soil, in a sunny location.