Horticulture/Scilla

Squills Scilla siberica0.jpg Scilla Colchicaceae Perennial bulbs Can be forced Insect Scilla (squill) is a genus of bulbous perennial herbs in the hyacinth family ../Colchicaceae/. 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/. 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. Description Bulbous perennials with strap-like, fark green leaves. Flowers held on small scapes above the foliage. Species Species include: ../Scilla bifolia/ ../Scilla peruviana/ (Portuguese Squill, Corymbose Squill, or Cuban Lily) ../Scilla scilloides/ ../Scilla siberica/ (Siberian Squill) ../Scilla verna/ (Spring Squill) Uses Some species are suitable for planting in lawns, otherwise they are generally grown in ground covers. Squill liquid extract, a preparation of powdered squill and ethanol, is used as an ingredient in cough medicines and cardiac surgery. Propagation By offset or seed. Pests and diseases ../Rusts/ ../Uromyces muscari/ References Christopher Brickell and Judith D. Zuk The American Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants 1997 DK Publishing 945-946 Pirone Pascal P. Diseases & Pests of Ornamental Plants Fifth Edition 1978 John Wiley & Sons, New York 483 University of Washington