Pancratium illyricum

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pancratium illyricum

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Asparagales
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Genus: Pancratium
Species: P. illyricum
Binomial name
Pancratium illyricum
L. (1753) Sp. Pl. 291.
Synonyms
  • Halmyra stellaris Parl.

Pancratium stellare Salisb.
Zouchia illyrica (L.) Raf.

Pancratium illyricum is a species of Amaryllidaceae native to Corsica, Sardinia and Capraia. It grows on rocky slopes and sparse woodland areas, from sea level to more than 1300 m above sea level. It is a bulbous perennial with glaucous leaves, 30–60 cm long, 1½–½ cm wide. Leaves disappear after flowering, in early summer, and the plants goes dormant. The scape is up to 45 cm long, and the flowers are clustered in umbels of about 12, and are white with a short corona and very fragrant. Flowers appear in April to June. Pancratium canariense from the Canary Islands is very similar. It has broader leaves, longer flower-stalks and flowers in the autumn.

[edit] Ethymology

The specific epithet illyricum mean "from Illyria", a region in former Yugoslavia. Not well suited as the plant does not grow there. The Italian name is "giglio stella" = star lily.

[edit] Cultivation

Easy to grow and flowers freely if planted near a south facing wall. Slow to increase. It is the hardiest Pancratium - USDA zone 8 and probably 7 in sheltered position with a southern aspect. Full sun in cooler climates, otherwise light shade. Propagation by seeds or division.

[edit] References