Puschkinia scilloides, commonly known as striped squill[3] or Lebanon squill,[4] is a bulbous perennial, native to Western Asia and the Caucasus.[1]

Puschkinia scilloides
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Scilloideae
Genus: Puschkinia
Species:
P. scilloides
Binomial name
Puschkinia scilloides
Synonyms[2]
  • Adamsia scilloides (Adams) Willd.
  • Puschkinia hyacinthoides Baker
  • Puschkinia libanotica Zucc.
  • Puschkinia sicula Van Houtte

Description

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Puschkinia scilloides is a small bulbous plant, growing to about 10–15 cm (4–6 in) tall. It has two narrow basal leaves that widen towards the tips (oblanceolate). The inflorescence appears in early spring and is a dense raceme with up to 20 flowers. The flowers are pale blue with a darker blue line in the centre of each tepal. A characteristic of the genus Puschkinia is a small cup surrounding the stamens and style.[5]

 
Close-up of flower

Distribution and habitat

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Puschkinia scilloides is native to Western Asia (Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Iran) and the Caucasus (North Caucasus and the Transcaucasus).[1] It is grows in alpine meadows near the snowline.[5]

Cultivation

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Puschkinia scilloides is cultivated as an ornamental bulbous plant, where it may be grown in a rock garden. A cool position in well drained soil is recommended.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Puschkinia scilloides", World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, retrieved 2017-05-05
  2. ^ "Puschkinia scilloides Adams", Plants of the World Online, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, retrieved 2022-04-06
  3. ^ "Puschkinia scilloides", Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden, retrieved 2019-03-30
  4. ^ Larson, Barbara (2002), Spring Bulbs, University of Illinois, archived from the original on 2019-05-12, retrieved 2019-03-30
  5. ^ a b c Mathew, Brian (1987), "Puschkinia", The Smaller Bulbs, London: B.T. Batsford, p. 145, ISBN 978-0-7134-4922-8
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