355
Muscari baeticum (Scilloideae, Asparagaceae), 
a new addition to the native flora of Tunisia 
and third report to Mediterranean Africa 
Abstract
Muscari baeticum, originating from western Europe, is here recorded as new 
from the central eastern part of Tunisia. So far, it was known only from Algeria 
and Morocco within the southern part of the Mediterranean basin. Description 
of the species as well as first data about its ecology in Tunisia together with 
geographical distribution and diagnostic features of closely related species are given. 
Photographic illustrations of the new reported taxon and an updated key to the 
Muscari species in North Africa are also provided.
Izvleček
V članku je opisana nova najdba zahodnoevropske vrste Muscari baeticum v 
vzhodni Tuniziji. Doslej je bila na južni obali Sredozemskega bazena znana le iz 
Alžirije in Maroka. Podan je opis vrste in prvi podatki o njeni ekologiji v Tuniziji 
ter geografska razširjenost in diagnostične značilnosti sorodnih vrst. Dodane so 
tudi fotografije taksona in posodobljen določevalni ključ za vrste iz rodu Muscari v 
Severni Afriki.
Key words: Asparagales, Muscari 
subg. Botryanthus, chorology, new 
record.
Ključne besede: Asparagales, 
Muscari subg. Botryantus, horologija, 
nova najdba.
Corresponding author:
Ridha El Mokni
E-mail: ridhaelmokni@yahoo.fr
Received: 2. 11. 2021
Accepted: 4. 2. 2022
1 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences “A”, Laboratory of Botany, Cryptogamy and Plant Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy of Monastir, Monastir, University of 
Monastir, Tunisia.
2 University of Carthage, Laboratory of Forest Ecology, National Research Institute of Rural Engineering, Water and Forests, Ariana, Tunisia.
Ridha El Mokni1,2
DOI: 10.2478/hacq-2022-000221/2 • 2022, 355–360
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Muscari baeticum, a new addition to the native flora of Tunisia
Introduction
The genus Muscari Mill. (Miller, 1754) belongs to Scil-
loideae subfamily and Scilleae tribe (Engler, 1887) has a 
pan-Mediterranean origin with numerous variety of spe-
cies, it is well distributed from Mediterranean Europe 
and North Africa to Caucasus, North-Western, South-
West and Central Asia (Rechinger, 1990; Kubitzki, 
1998; Jafari & Maassoumi, 2011; Byng, 2014; Yıldırım, 
2015, 2016; Yıldırımli & Kılıç, 2019; Eker & Yıldırım, 
2021). Muscari has about 77 to 80 taxa around the world 
(WCSP, 2020), only four of which are reported widely in 
Tunisia (Dobignard & Chatelain, 2010). Following that 
the genus has been splitted into four different genera: 
Leopoldia Parl., Muscari, Muscarimia Kostel. ex Losinsk. 
and Pseudomuscari Garbari & Greuter (based on their 
karyological and morphological characteristics, Gar-
bari & Greuter, 1970), only two of the Tunisian species 
belong to genus Muscari (M. parviflorum Desf. and M. 
neglectum Guss. ex Ten.), the others are included to Leo­
poldia genus. In this paper, the finding of unexpected 
species belonging to the genus Muscari, new to Tunisia 
and third report to North Africa. 
Materials and Methods
During botanical field surveys undertaken between 2017 
and 2021 in Centre Eastern of Tunisia, (North Africa), 
interesting individuals of a little Muscari were seen dur-
ing their flowering period which initially show high mac-
romorphological affinities to Muscari neglectum. Several 
specimens were collected from two distant natural sub-
populations within Monastir region, digital photographs 
and GPS coordinates were also taken in the field. Vouch-
er specimens are stored at the personal herbarium of the 
author (REM) deposited in the Faculty of Pharmacy of 
Monastir (not yet listed in Index Herbariorum, Thiers, 
2021). For identification, investigated features of collect-
ed specimens were compared with the relevant taxonom-
ic literature in the national keys of the genus in Cuénod 
et al. (1954) and in the keys of the floras of neighbouring 
countries mainly Lybia (Jafri & El-Gadi, 1978), Algeria 
(Quézel & Santa, 1962) and Morocco (Fennane et al., 
2014). It was realized that collected specimens are differ-
ent from known Muscari species in Tunisia and historical 
works on the floras of the neighboring countries. More 
European references were therefore checked for the suc-
cessful identification of these specimens (e.g. Davis & 
Stuart, 1980, pp. 46–49; Suárez-Santiago et al., 2007; 
Suárez Santiago & Blanca, 2013). Plant names here cited 
as associated species are according to APD (2021). 
Results and Discussion
Muscari baeticum Blanca, Ruíz Rejón & Suár.-Sant. 
Taxon 56(4): 1184 (Figure 3) (2007). 
Holotypus. Sierra Nevada, Dornajo (in Hispaniae pro-
vincia granatensi), 1950 m, in genistetis, locis petrosis, 
dolomiticis, ubi M. RUIZ REJÓN legit die 30 mensis 
Iunii anni 1998 (GDA 44686).
Morphology (Figure 1). Perennial herbaceous, scapous, 
bulbous plant. Bulb 1.7–2.5(–3) × 1.3–1.6 cm, ovoid; 
outer tunics membranaceous brown or dark brown, almost 
black; bulbils 0–2, formed outside the main bulb. Scapes 
1–2(–3) per bulb, simple, 110–170 × 2.0–2.8 mm. Leaves 
2–6 per bulb, 1.0–1.5(–2.0) as long as scape and 2.0–
2.8 mm wide, basal, prostrate, sessile, simple, linear to sub-
cylindrical, canaliculate, almost glaucous, parallel-nerved, 
with 11–12 nerves. Inflorescence racemose simple, with 
short, ovoid or ovoid-cylindrical, and dense raceme which 
lengthens up to (2–)2,5–5 cm in fruiting, bracteate; bracts 
ovate or linear, white; pedicels 3.0–3.5 mm in anthesis, 
shorter than perianth. Apical flowers c. 9(–10) 20–36% of 
the total, sterile, different from fertile, with pedicels up to 
2.5 mm, patent or erect-patent; perianth up to 6 × 4 mm, 
smaller towards the apex of the inflorescence, oblong, ob-
long-obovoid or claviform, usually not opening, pale blue-
violet or lilac in color. Flowers remaining 11–29, fertile, 
pendulous; bracts 2, from c. 1 mm, the basal ones of the 
inflorescence free, the rest concrescent, arranged ± at the 
same level, ovate, lanceolate or oblanceolate, white, bluish-
white or bluish towards the apex of the inflorescence; pedi-
cels (1.5–)2–3.5 mm in anthesis, shorter than the perianth, 
± reflexes, which become patent and lengthen up to 6 mm 
at fruiting; perianth 5–7.5(–8) × (3.2–)3.5–5(–5.5) mm, 
oblong-ellipsoid or oblong-obovoid, contracted at the 
apex, with an aperture of (1.6–)2 –2.5(–3) mm in diameter, 
dark purplish blue with six apical lobes; lobes 1.0–1.5 mm, 
recurved, broadly ovate, obtuse, uniformly white or with 
violet tints in the center; perianth mouth 1.6–3.0 mm in 
diameter. Androecium with 6 stamens, the 3 lower stamens 
inserted towards the middle part of the perianth and the 
upper ones 0.5–1 mm above those i.e. in the upper third; 
filaments (0.8–) 1–1.4 mm; anthers 1.3–1.5 mm, attached 
by middle, introrse, included, purple in color. Ovary su-
perior 1.5–2.5 × (1.2–)1.5–2.2 mm, ovoid, 3-chambered, 
light green, with 1 style included; style 1.4–2.6 mm, white, 
greenish-white at the base; stigma broadened and faintly 
three-lobed, white. Capsule 5.5–7.5(–8) × 6–8(–8.5) mm, 
membranous, suborbicular or very broadly obovate out-
line, strongly three-lobed, with a truncate or slightly emar-
ginate apex. Seeds (1.5–)1.8–2.5(–3) × 1.5–2(–2.2) mm, 2 
per loculum, ellipsoidal or subglobose, black (e.g. Suárez-
Santiago et al., 2007; Suárez Santiago & Blanca, 2013).
21/2 • 2022, 355–360
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Muscari baeticum, a new addition to the native flora of Tunisia
Phenology. Flowering occurs from February to March.
Iconography. Suárez-Santiago et al. (2007, p. 1175, 
Figure 3).
Native range and actual distribution area. Mus­
cari baeticum has a western Mediterranean distribution 
(Suárez Santiago & Blanca, 2013). In Europe, its pres-
ence is restricted to Spain, France and Germany whereas 
in North Africa, it was reported only from Algeria and 
Morocco (Suárez Santiago & Blanca, 2013; GBIF 2022) 
and here is its third report for the African continent from 
CE Tunisia (Monastir).
Habitat and distribution in Tunisia. Muscari baeti­
cum grows in open clayey and sandy substrates with cal-
careous crusts in margins of olive groves (native habitat 
are Mountain meadows in rock crevices and limestone 
substrates, see Suárez Santiago & Blanca (2013, p. 176). 
In Tunisia, its presence till now is restricted to three locali-
ties (two in Monastir city at 20 m a.s.l. and one in Chott 
Meriam-Sousse at 50 m a.s.l.). Historically, the plant has 
never been cited before in any of these localities or around 
despite its presence. It is assumed that it was not well dis-
tinguished and/or misidentified to M. neglectum Guss. ex 
Ten. (Figure 2).
Notes on the main associated species. Reported sub-
populations counting more than one hundred individu-
als observed growing in wild over an area of about 4000 
sq.m. (for Monastir city) and an area covering about 100 
sq.m. (for Chott Meriam-Sousse), together with several 
thermo-xerophilous herbs and grasses, mainly: Asparagus 
horridus L., Calendula arvensis (Vaill.) L., Diplotaxis mu­
ralis (L.) DC., Fagonia cretica L., Launaea nudicaulis (L.) 
Hook. f., Phagnalon rupestre subsp. illyricum (H. Lindb.) 
Ginzb., Salvia aegyptiaca L. and Stipa capensis Thunb.
Examined specimens (our collections). TUNISIA. 
Monastir: Monastir-city, 35°45’39”N, 010°47’48”E, in 
the margins of olive groves, about 20 m a.s.l., 24 Febru-
Figure 1. Muscari baeticum in Centre Eastern Tunisia. 
A: habit of a flowering plant in its natural habitat; 
B: flowering spike; C: fruiting spike; D: typical bulbs 
(NE Tunisia, North Africa); photographs Ridha El 
Mokni, 11 March 2021.
Slika 1. Muscari baeticum v osrednji vzhodni Tuniziji. 
A: habitus cvetoče rastline v njenem naravnem habitatu; 
B: socvetje; C: plodeč grozd; D: tipične čebulice (SV 
Tunizija, Severna Afrika); fotografije Ridha El Mokni, 
11. 3. 2021.
A
21/2 • 2022, 355–360
358
Ridha El Mokni
Muscari baeticum, a new addition to the native flora of Tunisia
ary 2017, El Mokni s.n. (Herb. R. El Mokni!), ibidem, 02 
March 2021, El Mokni s.n. (Herb. R. El Mokni!).
Diagnostic features. Compared to the closest spe-
cies (all polyploid!), Muscari baeticum produces very 
few bulblets (0–2(6)), whereas M. neglectum shows 10 
to 20 (50) bulblets for each bulb. The species is charac-
terized by an ovoid or ovoid-cylindrical, dense inflores-
cence with pale blue-violet or lilac sterile flowers while in 
M. neglectum the inflorescence is short and dense with 
sterile flowers blue-violet or violet. Furthermore, M. aeti­
cum shows bluish-violet or bluish-purple fertile flowers 
and prostrate leaves, while M. neglectum has dark-blue 
fertile flowers and arched-ascending leaves (cf. Suárez-
Santiago et al., 2007).
Conclusion
As far as known, Muscari baeticum was cited only for Al-
geria and Morocco from the works on the flora of North 
Africa and is here reported as a new discovery for Tunisia 
and third record for the continent. With this addition, 
the number of species in the Muscari genus is increased to 
3 in Tunisia. This should be considered as its third official 
mention for the southern shore of the Mediterranean ba-
sin (North Africa) and in large scale for the entire African 
continent. Hereafter, an updated diagnostic key is pro-
posed for the species of the genus Muscari in North Africa 
(cf. Cuénod et al., 1954; Quézel & Santa, 1962; Suárez 
Santiago & Blanca, 2013; Fennane et al., 2014).
Figure 2. Muscari neglectum in 
Tunisia. A: habit of a flowering plant 
in its natural habitat; B: flowering 
spike; C: fruiting spike (NE Tunisia, 
North Africa); photographs Ridha El 
Mokni, 16 February 2019.
Slika 2. Muscari neglectum v Tuniziji. 
A: habitus cvetoče rastline v njenem 
naravnem habitatu; B: socvetje; 
C: plodeč grozd (SV Tunizija, 
Severna Afrika); fotografije Ridha El 
Mokni, 16. 2. 2019.
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Muscari baeticum, a new addition to the native flora of Tunisia
Dichotomous key to North African species  
of Muscari 
1.  Suberect leaves; autumn flowering; fertile flowers up 
to 4 mm long, patent or erect-patent, pale violet-
blue with 6 darker longitudinal stripes; sterile flowers 
0–2, sessile .............................. M. parviflorum Desf.
–  Leaves prostrate to arcuate-upward or arcuate-reflex-
ive; spring flowering; fertile flowers more than 4 mm 
long, pendulous, blue-violet, blue-purple or violet, 
without longitudinal stripes; sterile flowers more 
than 2, stalked ........................................................ 2
2.  Bulblets (5)10–50; fertile flowers of a blue-violet or 
violets; sterile flowers blue-violet or violet ............... 3
- Bulblets 0–2(6); fertile flowers of a purplish-blue; 
sterile flowers pale violet-blue or lilac ...................... 4
3.  Inflorescence (1.5)2–2.8(3) cm in blooming, el-
lipsoid, dense; stems (1)1.5–2.5(3) mm in diameter; 
leaves (1.5)2–3.5(4) mm wide; fertile flower pedicels 
(1.5)2–2.5(3) mm at anthesis; anthers 0.8–1.2 mm ..
 ...................................... M. neglectum Guss. ex Ten.
–  Inflorescence (2.3)2.5–4(6) cm in blooming, oblong-
obovoid, lax; stems (2)2.5–3.5(4) mm in diameter; 
leaves (2.5)3–7 mm wide; fertile flower pedicels 
(2.5)3–4.5(5) mm at anthesis; anthers 1–1.5 mm .....  
 ......M. olivetorum Blanca, Ruíz Rejón & Suár.-Sant.
4.  Inflorescence ovoid or ovoid-cylindrical, dense; ster-
ile flowers (10) 20–36% of the total, which do not 
open; bracts arranged ± at the same level; inclusive 
anthers – the upper ones reach the middle third or 
the base of the upper third of the perianth ................
 ........ M. baeticum Blanca, Ruíz Rejón & Suár.-Sant.
–  Inflorescence narrowly cylindrical, lax; sterile flowers 
30–60% of the total, which often open; bracts ar-
ranged at different levels; anthers somewhat exserted 
–the upper ones reach the opening of the perianth....
 .................................. M. atlanticum Boiss. & Reut.
Acknowledgements
I express my sincere gratitude to Daniel Pavon (Insti-
tut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d’Écologie Marine 
et Continentale, France), Jean-Marc Tison (France) 
and Franck Le Driant (Département des Hautes Alpes, 
France) for their interesting and fruitful discussions about 
the identity and morphological features of Mediterra-
nean species of the genus Muscari. My thanks are also to 
anonymous reviewers for their useful comments given to 
improve the first version of the manuscript.
Ridha El Mokni  https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3849-1039
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