Scilla litardierei, the amethyst meadow squill or Dalmatian scilla, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae. A bulbous perennial, with blue grape-hyacinth like flowers, blooming in late spring, much later than the more popular Siberian squill and later than Muscari which it resembles.

Scilla litardierei
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Scilloideae
Genus: Scilla
Species:
S. litardierei
Binomial name
Scilla litardierei
Breistr. (1954)
Synonyms
  • Chouardia litardierei (Breistr.) Speta[2]
  • Nectaroscilla litardierei (Breistr.) Trávn.
  • Scilla amethystina Vis.
  • Scilla italica Host
  • Scilla pratensis Waldst. & Kit.
Flower of Scilla litardierei
Scilla litardierei flowers

Description

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Scilla litardierei has 3–6 grass-like leaves, 3-8mm wide, tapering to a point. Up to 70 blue-violet flower buds are borne on each stem in a dense raceme, opening into star-shaped flowers, 15–20 cm high. Preferring partial shade, it will naturalise and spread in favourable conditions.

Habitat

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It originates in the western Balkans (hence Dalmatian scilla), and in its original habitat in Slovenia it is considered an endangered species,[3] flowering in May–June.[4]

Taxonomy

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The exact taxonomic circumscription of the genus Scilla and related genera has proven very difficult, as noted by Stedje in 2001. "The definition of genera and the assignment of species to genera within the family Hyacinthaceae or subfamily Scilleae of the family Liliaceae, have troubled taxonomists since Linnaeus. The group is poor in qualitative characters, which has made it difficult to define stable genera based on good diagnostic characters. Species have often been moved from genus to genus either due to different opinions on generic delimitation or to misinterpretation of characters."[5] Previously placed within the family Liliaceae, Scilla was subsequently reclassified as Asparaginaceae (subfamily Scilloideae, tribe Hyacintheae, subtribe Hyacinthinae).[6]

Based on DNA sequence studies, the Austrian botanist Franz Speta had proposed to re-ascribe this species into a separate genus, Chouardia, within the Hyacintheae (1998).[7] However, the accepted and preferred name is Scilla litardierei.[8] The synonyms Scilla amethystina Fish., Scilla pratensis Waldst. & Kit., Scilla italica Host and Scilla nutans Alsch. are no longer valid.

Cultivation

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It was introduced to Britain in 1827. It has become much more easily available since 2004.[9] In cultivation in the UK Scilla litardierei has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[10][11] It is hardy down to −20 °C (−4 °F).[10]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Caković, D., Bogunić, F. & Boršić, I. (2018). "Scilla litardierei". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T161812A67664524. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T161812A67664524.en. Retrieved 23 January 2024.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ "Scilla litardierei". The Plant List. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  3. ^ IUCN Red List
  4. ^ Zaplana.net
  5. ^ Stedje 2001.
  6. ^ APG IV 2016.
  7. ^ Speta, F. (1998): Systematische Analyse der Gattung Scilla L. s. l. (Hyacinthaceae). Phyton (Horn Austria) 38(1), 97–99.
  8. ^ Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew: World Checklist
  9. ^ Paghat's garden
  10. ^ a b "RHS Plantfinder – Scilla litardierei". Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  11. ^ "AGM Plants – Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 96. Retrieved 6 November 2018.

Bibliography

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