Scilla_bifolia

<i>Scilla bifolia</i>

Scilla bifolia

Species of flowering plant

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.

Quick Facts Scilla bifolia, Scientific classification ...

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]

White form

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:

  • 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.[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]

See also

References

  1. [1]
    BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  2. [2]
    Pignatti S. - Flora d'Italia - Edagricole – 1982 Vol. III, pg. 365
  3. [3]
    Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
  4. [4]
    "RHS Plant Selector - Scilla bifolia". Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  5. [5]
    "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 9. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  6. [6]
    "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
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