Scilla bifolia
Alpine Squill (Scilla bifolia )
Called The Lesser squill ( Scilla bifolia ), also bluebell or Lesser squill, is a plant from the family of asparagus plants ( Asparagaceae ); the complete determination of textbooks of the Blue Star and many other genres such as hyacinths or asparagus on nor in the lily family ( Liliaceae ). He is a member of a form- rich, especially in Southeast Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean diverse group of species Scilla bifolia agg. In Central Europe it is often cultivated as an ornamental plant.
Description
The Lesser Blue Star is a perennial herbaceous plant (up to 5 ) reaches the stature heights of 15 to 20 centimeters. This Geophyt forms an onion as Überdauerungsorgan. Among the cases dry the onions are pink. A stalk is formed per onion. It has a round cross section. There are two leaves present.
The (three to ) four to seven ( or twelve ) flowers are arranged in a one-sided raceme. Deck and bracteoles absent almost. The buds are blue-gray to blue. The tepals are light blue colored without white base and (7 bis) 8-9 mm long and 3 to 3.5 millimeters wide. The olive-brown, dry, dark brown seeds fresh measure 2.5 mm in diameter and possess oil body.
The flowering period extends from March to April.
The chromosome number is 2n = 18
Ecology
The Lesser Blue Star is a spring Geophyt.
The flowers are gay game " nectar leading disk flowers ". The nectar is deposited on the walls of the ovary. Pollinators include flies.
The fruits are acting as Selbstausäer capsules. The ripe fruit stems tend to the floor, and the soft capsules burst open. The seeds have a Elaiosom and are spread by ants, for example, by the black ant Lasius niger
The vegetative propagation is via the onions and voles they spread in the field.
Occurrence
Scilla bifolia arrives in Spain, France, Italy, in South and Central Germany and in closely related and very similar small species or for further Artauffassung in the mountains of the eastern Mediterranean, in the Ukraine, the Caucasus and Asia Minor in fresh fall foliage woods before.
In Germany, the sub-Mediterranean plant encountered due to climate change in their distribution limit: "In Germany the Bluestar especially on the Danube and the Rhine and its tributaries is growing, also on soil moist mixed deciduous forests in the Palatinate Forest and on the Hardt One of the northernmost occurrence is on the edge of the Seven Mountains, near Bonn. at the transition from middle to the Lower Rhine. particularly large blue star rugs can be admired in the lowland forests of the northern Upper Rhine valley. " In green plants, the carpets of flowers " as in Baden -Württemberg at Bruchsal Castle or Castle in Bavaria on Ellingen at White Castle " can be admired.
Toxicology
Toxic is the whole plant, but especially bulbs and seeds. Active ingredients are saponins and cardioactive glycosides in some species. The sap can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Use
The rare wild -growing in Germany Lesser Blue Star is specially protected under the Federal Species Protection Ordinance, so he should not be picked even for small hand bouquets.
As an ornamental plant of the early bloomers is cultivated at least since 1594, its bulbs are easy to grow and are offered (also in related small species) to date in the plant trade. However, in Germany it is rarely used as an ornamental plant. Only if it satisfied the site conditions in the warmer parts of southern and western Germany, it forms as a wild plant mass occurrence and is also used as an ornamental plant (see above: occurrence). In other areas like the Siberian squill ( Othocallis siberica ) is better suited for garden culture.
Scilla bifolia is frost-hardy, thrives in sunny to slightly semi- shady areas in the sub-Mediterranean climate and needed fresh humus rich soil. The flowers of cultivar ' Alba' are white, the variety ' Carnea ' light pink.