Scilla
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- For the figures of Greek mythology, see Scylla.
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| Missing image Scilla_siberica0.jpg Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica) | ||||||||||||
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Scilla (squill) is a genus of bulbous perennial herbs in the hyacinth family Hyacinthaceae. The 90-odd species are found in woodlands, subalpine meadows, and seashores across the Old World. Their flowers are usually blue, but white, pink, and purple types are known; most flower in early spring, but a few are autumn-flowering.
Species include:
- Scilla amoena (Star Squill)
- Scilla autumnalis
- Scilla bifolia
- Scilla bithynica
- Scilla cilicica
- Scilla hohenackeri
- Scilla liliohyacinthus
- Scilla litardierei
- Scilla messeniaca
- Scilla mischtschenkoana
- Scilla monophyllos
- Scilla natalensis
- Scilla persica
- Scilla peruviana (Corymbose Squill)
- Scilla puschkinioides
- Scilla rosenii
- Scilla scilloides
- Scilla siberica (Siberian Squill)
- Scilla siehei
- Scilla verna
Scilla peruviana is of interest for its name; it is a native of southwest Europe, not of Peru. The name results from when Carolus Linnaeus described the species in 1753; he was given specimens imported from Spain aboard a ship named Peru, and was misled into thinking the specimens had come from that country. The rules of botanical naming do not allow a scientific name to be changed merely because it is potentially confusing.
Cultivation and uses
Many species are grown in gardens for their attractive early spring flowers.
Squill liquid is extracted from squills and used as an ingredient in cough medicines and cardiac surgery.
External links
- British Pharmaceutical Codex (http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/bpc1911/urginea.html)
- King's American Dispensatory (http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/kings/urginea-mari.html)
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