Scilla bifolia

Scilla bifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Scilloideae
Genus: Scilla
Species: S. bifolia
Binomial name
Scilla bifolia
L.

Scilla bifolia (alpine squill[1] or two-leaf squill) is a herbaceous perennial growing from an underground bulb,[2] belonging to the genus Scilla of the Asparagaceae family.

The specific epithet bifolia means "twin leaved".[3]

Description

Scilla bifolia grows from a bulb 1–2 cm (0.4–0.8 in) across.[2] There are two or rarely three lance-shaped, curved, fleshy and shiny leaves[2] The bases of the leaves clasp up to about the half of the stem (amplexicaul).[2]

The flowering stems are erect and unbranched, 10–20 cm (4–8 in) high.[2] The raceme bears 6-10 flowers, each 1 cm (0.4 in) across.[2]

The flowers of Scilla bifolia are upward-facing, unlike the nodding flowers of Scilla siberica (Siberian squill). They bloom from early to late spring. The six tepals are deep violet-blue, more rarely white, pink, or purple.[2] The fruit is a capsule 6–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) across.[2]

S. bifolia has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[4]

White form

Taxonomy

Subspecies

Cultivars

The cultivated variety 'Rosea' has pale pink or white flowers.

Synonyms

Synonyms of Scilla bifolia include:

  • Adenoscilla bifolia (L.) Gren.
  • Anthericum bifolium (L.) Scop. [1771]
  • Genlisa bifolia (L.) Raf. [1840]
  • Hyacinthus bifolia (L.) E.H.L.Krause in Sturm [1906]
  • Ornithogalum bifolium (L.) Neck. [1770]
  • Scilla alpina Schur [1852]
  • Scilla carnea Sweet [1830]
  • Scilla decidua Speta [1976]
  • Scilla dubia K.Koch [1847]
  • Scilla longistylosa Speta [1976]
  • Scilla minor K.Koch [1847]
  • Scilla nivalis Boiss. [1844]
  • Scilla pleiophylla Speta [1980]
  • Scilla resslii Speta [1977]
  • Scilla secunda Janka [1856]
  • Scilla silvatica Czetz [1872]
  • Scilla uluensis Speta [1976]
  • Scilla voethorum Speta [1980]
  • Scilla xanthandra K.Koch [1847]
  • Stellaris bifolia (L.) Moench

Distribution

Scilla bifolia is native to Europe and western Russia south through Turkey to Syria.[5] The plant is found in shady places, woods of beech or deciduous trees, and mountain grasslands.[2] It grows at an altitude of 100–2,000 m (330–6,560 ft) above sea level.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "BSBI List 2007" (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Pignatti S. - Flora d'Italia - Edagricole – 1982 Vol. III, pg. 365
  3. ↑ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
  4. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Scilla bifolia". Retrieved 3 June 2013.
  5. ↑ Germplasm Resources Information Network
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