Scilla peruviana

Star of Peru (Scilla peruviana )

The Peruvian Squill (Scilla peruviana, Syn: Oncostema peruviana (L.) Speta ) is a plant of the genus Blue star (Scilla ). The name is misleading, as this type does not come from Peru, but in the Western Mediterranean. He comes from the fact that in the 17th century came the first onions from Spain on a ship called "Peru " to England. The more appropriate name is therefore "Star of Peru ," as he also ZANDER - used pocket dictionary of the plant names.

Features

The Peruvian Squill is an evergreen, perennial, herbaceous plant that reaches the plant height of 20 to 50 centimeters. This Geophyt forms onions as outlasting. The simple leaves are 40 to 60 inches long, 1-4 inches wide and at the edge usually ciliate.

In a broad, conical, racemose inflorescence sit 40 to 100 flowers together. The lower bracts are 2-6 ( 8) inches long. The lower flower stalks are 3 to 5 inches long, the fruit ripening also to 9 inches. The hermaphrodite flowers are triple. The six deep blue purple or white bracts are about 14 mm long and 4 mm wide.

The flowering period extends from May to June.

Occurrence

The distribution area includes southwestern Europe to Sardinia, Sicily and southern Italy and North West Africa. Here this species is found in wet meadows.

The Peruvian Squill is rarely found in warmer areas as an ornamental plant.

Swell

• Eckhart J. Hunter, Friedrich Ebel, Peter Hanelt, Gerd Müller, K. (ed.): Rothmaler Exkursionsflora of Germany Volume 5 Herbaceous ornamental and useful plants. Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg 2008, ISBN 978-3-8274-0918-8.
• Haw, StephenG. Japonica in The Plantsman, New Series Vol 3, Part 3, September 2004