Puschkinia scilloides

Puschkinia scilloides, commonly known as striped squill^[3] or Lebanon squill,^[4] is a bulbous perennial, native to Western Asia and the Caucasus.^[1]

Puschkinia scilloides
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Asparagaceae
Subfamily:	Scilloideae
Genus:	Puschkinia
Species:	P. scilloides
Binomial name
Puschkinia scilloides Adams[1]
Synonyms[2]
Adamsia scilloides (Adams) Willd. Puschkinia hyacinthoides Baker Puschkinia libanotica Zucc. Puschkinia sicula Van Houtte

Description

Puschkinia scilloides is a small bulbous plant, growing to about 10–15 cm (4–6 in) tall. It has two narrow basal leaves that widen towards the tips (oblanceolate). The inflorescence appears in early spring and is a dense raceme with up to 20 flowers. The flowers are pale blue with a darker blue line in the centre of each tepal. A characteristic of the genus Puschkinia is a small cup surrounding the stamens and style.^[5]

Close-up of flower

Distribution and habitat

Puschkinia scilloides is native to Western Asia (Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Iran) and the Caucasus (North Caucasus and the Transcaucasus).^[1] It grows in alpine meadows near the snowline.^[5]

Cultivation

Puschkinia scilloides is cultivated as an ornamental bulbous plant, where it may be grown in a rock garden. A cool position in well drained soil is recommended.^[5]