Scilla bifolia

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Scilla bifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Scilloideae
Genus: Scilla
Species: S. bifolia
Binomial name
Scilla bifolia
L.

Scilla bifolia (two-leaf squill or alpine squill) is a herbaceous perennial growing from an underground bulb,[1] belonging to the genus Scilla of the Asparagaceae family.

The specific epithet bifolia means "twin leaved".[2]

Distribution

Scilla bifolia is native to Europe and western Russia south through Turkey to Syria.[3] The plant is found in shady places, woods of beech or deciduous trees, and mountain grasslands. [1] It grows at an altitude of 100–2,000 m (330–6,560 ft) above sea level. [1]

Description

Scilla bifolia grows from a bulb 1–2 cm (0.4–0.8 in) across. [1] There are two or rarely three lance-shaped, curved, fleshy and shiny leaves[1] The bases of the leaves clasp up to about the half of the stem (amplexicaul).[1]

The flowering stems are erect and unbranched, 10–20 cm (4–8 in) high. [1] The raceme bears 6-10 flowers, each 1 cm (0.4 in) across. [1]

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. [1] The fruit is a capsule 6–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) across. [1]

S. bifolia has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[4]

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

Gallery

  • Scilla bifolia plants

  • Inflorescence

  • Flowers

  • Close-up of a flower

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Pignatti S. - Flora d'Italia - Edagricole – 1982 Vol. III, pg. 365
  2. ↑ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315. 
  3. ↑ Germplasm Resources Information Network
  4. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Scilla bifolia". Retrieved 03 June 2013. 
  • T.G. Tutin, V.H. Heywood et alii, Flora Europaea, Cambridge University Press, 1976

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Scilla bifolia.

Data related to Scilla bifolia at Wikispecies

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