Scilla

From Free net encyclopedia

For the figures of Greek mythology, see Scylla.

{{Taxobox | color = lightgreen | name = Scilla | image = Scilla siberica0.jpg | image_width = 250px | image_caption = Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica) | regnum = Plantae | divisio = Magnoliophyta | classis = Liliopsida | ordo = Asparagales | familia = Hyacinthaceae | genus = Scilla | genus_authority = L. | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision = See text. }}

Scilla (squill) is a genus of bulbous perennial herbs in the hyacinth family Hyacinthaceae. 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)
Scilla autumnalis
Scilla bifolia
Scilla bithynica
Scilla cilicica
Scilla hohenackeri
Scilla liliohyacinthus
Scilla litardierei
Scilla messeniaca
Scilla mischtschenkoana
Scilla monophyllos
Scilla natalensis
Scilla persica
Scilla peruviana (Portuguese Squill or Corymbose Squill)
Scilla puschkinioides
Scilla rosenii
Scilla scilloides
Scilla siberica (Siberian Squill)
Scilla siehei
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.

[edit]