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 | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asparagaceae |
| Subfamily: | Scilloideae |
| Genus: | Scilla |
| Species: | S. litardierei
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| Binomial name | |
| Scilla litardierei Breistr. (1954)
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| Synonyms | |
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Description
editScilla 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
editIt 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
editThe 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
editIt 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
editReferences
edit- ^ 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) - ^ "Scilla litardierei". The Plant List. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
- ^ IUCN Red List
- ^ Zaplana.net
- ^ Stedje 2001.
- ^ APG IV 2016.
- ^ Speta, F. (1998): Systematische Analyse der Gattung Scilla L. s. l. (Hyacinthaceae). Phyton (Horn Austria) 38(1), 97–99.
- ^ Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew: World Checklist
- ^ Paghat's garden
- ^ a b "RHS Plantfinder – Scilla litardierei". Retrieved 1 November 2018.
- ^ "AGM Plants – Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 96. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
Bibliography
editArticles
edit- Angiosperm Phylogeny Group IV (2016). "An update of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification for the orders and families of flowering plants: APG IV". Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 181 (1): 1–20. doi:10.1111/boj.12385.
- Pfosser, Martin; Speta, Franz (1999). "Phylogenetics of Hyacinthaceae Based on Plastid DNA Sequences". Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden. 86 (4): 852–875. doi:10.2307/2666172.
- Stedje, Brita (2001). "Generic Delimitation of Hyacinthaceae, with Special Emphasis on Sub-Saharan Genera". Systematics and Geography of Plants. 71 (2): 449–454. doi:10.2307/3668693.
Databases
edit- "Scilla litardierei". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture.
- Royal Horticultural Society
Websites
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