Family: Asparagaceae
Author: (L.) Speta
Bibliography: Veröff. Int. Clusius-Forschungsges. Güssing 5: 4 (1982)
Year: 1982
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Prospero
Vegetable: False
Observations: W. Europe to Medit.
Description
Autumn squill, scientifically recognized as Prospero autumnale, is a captivating bulbous perennial belonging to the Asparagaceae family. Noted for its striking floral displays, this plant thrives across a broad geographical swath from Western Europe through to the Mediterranean region.
The Autumn squill is characterized by its small, star-shaped flowers that typically bloom in late summer to autumn. These delicate blooms feature a beautiful range of colors from pale pink to lilac, often with darker veining that enhances their charm. The flowers are borne on slender stems that rise above the narrow, grass-like leaves, creating an elegant and subtle display in gardens and natural settings.
Adapted to a variety of habitats, Prospero autumnale can be found in open woodlands, meadows, and rocky terrains, where it benefits from well-drained soils and a sunny position. The plant exhibits a hardy nature, able to withstand periods of drought, indicative of its Mediterranean origins.
Beyond its ornamental appeal, the Autumn squill serves as an important ecological component in its native regions, providing nectar for a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies. Its ability to propagate through bulb division also makes it a resilient and enduring species within its preferred habitats.
This plant was described and formalized in the botanical reference published by the Veröff. Int. Clusius-Forschungsges. Güssing 5: 4 in 1982, with the authoritatively cited name Prospero autumnale (L.) Speta, which acknowledges its initial classification by Linnaeus and subsequent reclassification by Speta.
Whether appreciated in a cultivated garden or observed in its wild environments, the Autumn squill stands out as a modest but significant marker of seasonal change, heralding the transition from summer to fall with its enchanting blooms.
Common Names
En: Autumn squill
Bg: Есенен синчец
Ca: Escil·la tardoral
Kw: Sterennik kynnyav
Fi: Syyssinililja
Fr: Scille d’automne
De: Herbst-Blaustern, Herbst-Meerzwiebel, Herbst-Sternhyazinthe
El: Πρόσπερο το φθινοπωρινό
He: בן-חצב סתווני
Hu: Őszi csillagvirágok
It: Scilla autunnale
Pt: Cila-de-Outubro
Sr: Процепак
Sv: Prospero autumnale
Tr: Prospero autumnale
Uk: Проліски осінні
Vi: Prospero autumnale
Cy: Seren yr hydref
Synonyms
- Urginea autumnalis ((L.) El-Gadi)
- Scilla autumnalis f. dumetorum (Baker)
- Scilla cyrenaica ((Pamp.) Bartolo, Brullo, Pavone & Terrasi)
- Scilla autumnalis var. gallica ((Tod.) Nyman)
- Prospero scythicum ((Kleopow) Speta)
- Stellaris autumnalis ((L.) Bubani)
- Prospero pulchellum ((Munby) Speta)
- Scilla scythica (Kleopow)
- Scilla autumnalis f. albiflora (Pamp.)
- Scilla longipes (Batt.)
- Scilla racemosa (Balansa ex Baker)
- Prospero cyrenaicum ((Pamp.) Speta)
- Scilla autumnalis var. cyrenaica (Pamp.)
- Scilla gallica (Tod.)
- Hyacinthus autumnalis ((L.) E.H.L.Krause)
- Scilla autumnalis var. gracillima (Batt.)
- Scilla autumnalis var. racemosa ((Balansa ex Baker) Asch. & Graebn.)
- Scilla dumetorum (Balansa ex Baker)
- Scilla pulchella (Munby)
- Scilla autumnalis subsp. latifolia (Iatroú & Kit Tan)
- Scilla autumnalis var. longipes (Batt.)
- Genlisa autumnalis ((L.) Raf.)
- Anthericum autumnale ((L.) Scop.)
- Prospero holzmannium ((Heldr.) Speta)
- Scilla autumnalis (L.)
- Scilla holzmannia (Heldr.)
- Scilla autumnalis var. pulchella ((Munby) Batt.)
- Ornithogalum autumnale ((L.) Lam.)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Baleares (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Corse (native)
- Cyprus (native)
- East Aegean Is. (native)
- France (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Italy (native)
- Kriti (native)
- Krym (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Libya (native)
- Morocco (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- Palestine (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- Spain (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Flower
Taken Oct 18, 2021 by Agnieszka Kubit (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 27, 2021 by Albert Mallol Camprubí (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 4, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 21, 2018 by Matesanz Ángel (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 15, 2017 by Carlos Villasante (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Dec 25, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Errol VELA (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 21, 2016 by Carlos Villasante (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 29, 2019 by Roberto Dessì (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 4, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 18, 2021 by Agnieszka Kubit (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Oct 3, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 16, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Errol VELA (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 16, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Errol VELA (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 2, 2019 by fra fra (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 18, 2021 by Agnieszka Kubit (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jan 16, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Errol VELA (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 25, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Errol VELA (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 3, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 19, 2021 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 6, 2022 by claude lerat -gentet Mme (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Aug 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 31, 1848 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 16, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Errol VELA (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 8, 2002 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 8, 2002 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Oct 3, 2020 by sophie begin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 16, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Errol VELA (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 25, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Errol VELA (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 25, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Errol VELA (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 25, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Errol VELA (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2767189)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:961855-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Prospero autumnale (L.) Speta)
Specifications
Growth
Ph maximum: 8.0
Ph minimum: 7.5
Light: 8
Atmospheric humidity: 4
Soil nutriments: 2