Scilla

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For the figures of Greek mythology, see Scylla. For the Italian commune, see Scilla, Italy. For the given name see article Priscilla

iScilla

Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica)

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Liliopsida
Order:	Liliales
Family:	Colchicaceae
Genus:	Scilla L.

Species

See text.

Scilla (squill) is a genus of bulbous perennial herbs in the hyacinth family Colchicaceae. The 90-odd species are found in woodlands, subalpine meadows, and seashores across the Old World. Their flowers are usually blue, but white, pink, and purple types are known; most flower in early spring, but a few are autumn-flowering.

Several African species previously classified in Scilla have been removed to the genus Ledebouria. The best known of these is the common houseplant still sometimes known as Scilla violacea but now properly Ledebouria socialis.

Species include:

Scilla amoena (Star Squill/Star Hyacinth)
Scilla autumnalis (Autumn Squill)
Scilla bifolia (Alpine Squill)
Scilla bithynica (Bithynian Squill)
Scilla cilicica
Scilla hohenackeri
Scilla liliohyacinthus (Pyrenean Squill)
Scilla litardierei
Scilla maritima
Scilla messeniaca
Scilla mischtschenkoana
Scilla monophyllos
Scilla natalensis
Scilla persica
Scilla peruviana (Portuguese Squill/Corymbose Squill/Cuban Lily)
Scilla puschkinioides
Scilla rosenii
Scilla scilloides
Scilla siberica (Siberian Squill)
Scilla siehei
Scilla vindobonensis
Scilla verna (Spring Squill)

Scilla peruviana is of interest for its name; it is a native of southwest Europe, not of Peru. The name results from when Carolus Linnaeus described the species in 1753; he was given specimens imported from Spain aboard a ship named Peru, and was misled into thinking the specimens had come from that country. The rules of botanical naming do not allow a scientific name to be changed merely because it is potentially confusing.