Scilla bifolia, the alpine squill or two-leaf squill, is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from an underground bulb,Pignatti S. - Flora d'Italia - Edagricole – 1982 Vol. III, pg. 365 belonging to the genus Scilla of the family Asparagaceae.
The Latin specific epithet bifolia means "twin leaved".
Description Scilla bifolia grows from a bulb across. There are two or rarely three lance-shaped, curved, fleshy and shiny leaves and the bases of the leaves clasp up to about the half of the stem (amplexicaul).
The flowering stems are erect and unbranched, high. The raceme bears 6-10 flowers, each across.
The flowers of Scilla bifolia are upward-facing, unlike the nodding flowers of Scilla siberica (Siberian squill). They bloom from early to late spring. The six tepals are deep violet-blue, more rarely white, pink, or purple. The fruit is a capsule across.
S. bifolia has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Taxonomy
Subspecies Scilla bifolia subsp. bifolia Scilla bifolia subsp. buekkensis (Speta) Soó Scilla bifolia subsp. rara Trávníček Scilla bifolia subsp. spetana (Kereszty) Trávníček
Cultivars The cultivated variety 'Rosea' has pale pink or white flowers.
Synonyms Synonyms of Scilla bifolia include:
Adenoscilla bifolia (L.) Gren. Anthericum bifolium (L.) Scop. Genlisa bifolia (L.) Raf. Hyacinthus bifolia (L.) E.H.L.Krause in Sturm Ornithogalum bifolium (L.) Neck. Scilla alpina Schur Scilla carnea Sweet Scilla decidua Speta Scilla dubia K.Koch Scilla longistylosa Speta Scilla minor K.Koch Scilla nivalis Boiss. Scilla pleiophylla Speta Scilla resslii Speta Scilla secunda Janka Scilla silvatica Czetz Scilla uluensis Speta Scilla voethorum Speta Scilla xanthandra K.Koch Stellaris bifolia (L.) Moench
Distribution Scilla bifolia is native to Europe and western Russia south through Turkey to Syria. The plant is found in shady places, woods of beech or deciduous trees, and mountain grasslands. It grows at an altitude of above sea level.
Gallery
See also List of Scilla species
References
T.G. Tutin, V.H. Heywood et alii, Flora Europaea, Cambridge University Press, 1976
External links
RHS Plant Selector IPNI Listing Kew Plant List