Squill of Peru

The squill of Peru ( Scilla peruviana L.), sometimes called hyacinth of Peru , is a Mediterranean plant, relatively current in the Iberian peninsula, which does not have anything Peruvian and owes his name with a faulty interpretation of its geographic origin. It belongs to the kind Scilla and to the family of the Hyacinthacée S (removed by the Classification APG II and included in the Asparagacées). One recognizes it in particular with his inflorescences blue-purple having a little the aspect of pine cones (the Catalans call it pinya blava , pine cone blue).

Description

Ecology and habitat

Plant pushing in the wet bushes, meadows and pastures. One especially meets it in southernmost Spain and with the Portugal like in North Africa, more rarely in France (Corsica especially). Flowering from April at June.

General and vegetative morphology

Hardy perennial with large bulb (diameter between 5 and 8 cm), with rather robust stem, reaching from 30 to 50 cm. Many Sheet S lancéolées, often longer than the stem, spread out and on hairy board.

Floral morphology

Inflorescence in Corymbe which can carry up to hundred Fleur S, blue-purple generally, sometimes paler. Each flower is carried by a long pedicel. Very many Bractée S long and narrow. Flowers with 6 free tepals (identical sepals and petals) opening out of star. Cheesecloth S blue with anthères yellow.

Fruit and seeds

The Fruit is a capsule ovoid and pointed with 3 cabins containing each one 3 seeds.

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