Scilla bifolia
Scilla bifolia | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Order: | Asparagales |
Family: | Asparagaceae |
Subfamily: | Scilloideae |
Genus: | Scilla |
Species: | S. bifolia |
Binomial name | |
Scilla bifolia |
Scilla bifolia, the alpine squill[1] or two-leaf squill, is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from an underground bulb,[2] belonging to the genus Scilla of the family Asparagaceae.
The Latin 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] and 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][5]
Taxonomy
Subspecies
- Scilla bifolia subsp. bifolia
- Scilla bifolia subsp. buekkensis (Speta) Soó
- Scilla bifolia subsp. rara Trávníček
- Scilla bifolia subsp. spetana (Kereszty) Trávníček
- Cultivars
The cultivated variety 'Rosea' has pale pink or white flowers.
Synonyms
Synonyms of Scilla bifolia include:
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Distribution
Scilla bifolia is native to Europe and western Russia south through Turkey to Syria.[6] 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]
Gallery
See also
References
- ^ BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Pignatti S. - Flora d'Italia - Edagricole – 1982 Vol. III, pg. 365
- ^ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
- ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Scilla bifolia". Retrieved 5 March 2021.
- ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 9. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
- ^ "Scilla bifolia". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
- T.G. Tutin, V.H. Heywood et alii, Flora Europaea, Cambridge University Press, 1976