| Ipheion uniflorum | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| clade: | Angiosperms |
| clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Amaryllidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Allioideae |
| Genus: | Ipheion |
| Species: | I. uniflorum |
| Binomial name | |
| Ipheion uniflorum (Raf.) Traub |
|
| Synonyms | |
Ipheion uniflorum is a species of flowering plant, related to the onions, so is currently placed in the Allium subfamily (Allioideae) of the Amaryllidaceae.[1] It is known by the common name spring star, or spring starflower. It was at one time transferred to the genus Tristagma, but recent research suggests that this was not correct.[2] It is native to Argentina and surrounding countries, but can be found elsewhere, such as much of the southern half of North America, as an introduced species, possibly an escaped ornamental plant. This is a perennial herb growing from a bulb and producing flat, shiny, green, hairless, grasslike leaves up to 30 centimeters long. The foliage has an onionlike scent when crushed. The stem grows up to 20 centimeters tall and bears a solitary showy flower in spring. Each star-shaped flower has six pointed lobes up to 3 centimeters long in shades of very pale to deep purple-blue.
Ipheion uniflorum has been grown in the UK since 1820, when bulbs collected from near Buenos Aires arrived in the country. It is recommended for growing in a well-drained position outside or as long-flowering pot plant in an unheated greenhouse. Various named forms are in cultivation, some of which may be hybrids. 'Wisley Blue' is a clear lilac blue; 'Froyle Mill' is a deeper violet blue; 'Album' is white. The cultivar 'Alberto Castillo', also white, has larger flowers and was collected in the 1980s by Alberto Castillo, the owner of Ezeiza Botanical Garden, from an abandoned Buenos Aires garden.[3][4] In the USA, the species is stated to be hardy to USDA Zone 5, and is recommended for massing in borders, alpine gardens and other areas, or it can be naturalized in lawns.[5]