Family: Asparagaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 309 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Scilla
Vegetable: False
Observations: W. & C. Medit.
Description
The Cuban-lily, scientifically known as Scilla peruviana, is a captivating and unique member of the Asparagaceae family. Described and classified in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, this plant has a legacy documented in his seminal work “Species Plantarum.”
Native primarily to the Western and Central Mediterranean region, Scilla peruviana is celebrated for its intricate and lush floral displays. This perennial bulbous plant is distinguished by its dense rosettes of strap-shaped leaves and its striking flower spikes. Each of these spikes is adorned with numerous star-shaped blossoms that range from vivid blue to deep violet, rendering a truly mesmerizing spectacle during the blooming season.
The Cuban-lily generally flourishes in well-drained soils and can often be found thriving in rocky terrains and grasslands. Its resilience and adaptability have made it a beloved choice for gardeners looking to add a touch of exotic beauty to their landscapes. When provided with the appropriate conditions, including ample sunlight and moderate watering, Scilla peruviana can thrive and even spread cheerfully, forming attractive clumps over time.
Besides its ornamental value, the Cuban-lily is also an interesting subject in botanical studies due to its specific growing requirements and regional adaptations. Although not related to Cuba, its common name, Cuban-lily, is a testament to its wide-reaching allure and the sometimes enigmatic nature of common nomenclature in the plant kingdom.
In summary, Scilla peruviana or Cuban-lily is a visually captivating plant with a rich historical background and a native habitat that straddles the scenic Mediterranean landscape. It is both a horticultural delight and a botanical wonder, exemplifying the diverse beauty found within the Asparagaceae family.
Common Names
Eng: cuban-lily, portuguese squill, hyacinth-of-peru, portugese squill
Fra: scille du pérou
Swe: jätteblåstjärna
Cym: seren portiwgal
En: Cuban-lily, Portuguese squill, Hyacinth-of-Peru, Portugese Squill, Giant Squill
Ca: Pinya blava
Fr: Scille du Pérou
It: Scilla maggiore
Es: Jacinto estrellado
Sv: Jätteblåstjärna
Cy: Seren Portiwgal
Synonyms
- Scilla stellaris (Salisb.)
- Scilla candida (Guss.)
- Scilla clusii (Parl.)
- Ornithogalum speciosum (Raf.)
- Oncostema cerulea ((Raf.) Speta)
- Oncostema cupanii ((Guss.) Speta)
- Scilla sicula (Tineo ex Guss.)
- Scilla elongata (Parl.)
- Melomphis sicula (Raf.)
- Scilla peruviana subsp. elongata ((Parl.) Maire)
- Scilla hemisphaerica (Boiss.)
- Ornithogalum ceruleum (Raf.)
- Oncostema ughii ((Tineo ex Guss.) Speta)
- Scilla peruviana var. sicula ((Tineo ex Guss.) Fiori)
- Scilla peruviana var. stenopetala (Maire)
- Scilla clusii var. comata ((Hoffmanns.) Nyman)
- Scilla hemisphaerica var. glabra (Boiss.)
- Scilla peruviana var. grandiflora ((Jord. & Fourr.) Maire & Weiller)
- Scilla peruviana var. ifniensis (Font Quer)
- Caloscilla livida (Jord. & Fourr.)
- Scilla peruviana subsp. glabra ((Boiss.) K.Richt.)
- Caloscilla venusta (Jord. & Fourr.)
- Scilla comata (Hoffmanns.)
- Hyacinthus peruvianus ((L.) E.Vilm.)
- Caloscilla subalbida (Jord. & Fourr.)
- Scilla peruviana subsp. hughii ((Tineo ex Guss.) K.Richt.)
- Scilla vivianii (Bertol.)
- Scilla pubens (Welw. ex Lindl.)
- Caloscilla clusii (Jord. & Fourr.)
- Caloscilla flaveola (Jord. & Fourr.)
- Scilla peruviana var. livida ((Jord. & Fourr.) Maire)
- Melomphis peruviana ((L.) Raf.)
- Scilla peruviana var. subalbida ((Jord. & Fourr.) Maire & Weiller)
- Scilla filangeri (Tineo ex Lojac.)
- Scilla cupanii (Guss.)
- Scilla fistulosa (Raf.)
- Scilla clusii var. candida ((Guss.) Nyman)
- Scilla praebracteata (Haw. ex G.Don)
- Loncomelos purpureum (Raf.)
- Scilla cupaniana (Schult. & Schult.f.)
- Scilla peruviana var. zaborskiana (Emb.)
- Scilla peruviana subsp. ughii ((Tineo ex Guss.) K.Richt.)
- Oncostema peruviana ((L.) Speta)
- Scilla ughii (Tineo ex Guss.)
- Oncostema sicula ((Tineo ex Guss.) Speta)
- Oncostema elongata ((Parl.) Speta)
- Basaltogeton peruvianum ((L.) Salisb.)
- Caloscilla pallidiflora (Jord. & Fourr.)
- Scilla peruviana var. flaveola ((Jord. & Fourr.) Maire & Weiller)
- Caloscilla subcarnea (Jord. & Fourr.)
- Caloscilla hughii (Jord. & Fourr.)
- Scilla peruviana var. sublivida (Maire & Weiller)
- Scilla cerulea ((Raf.) Soldano)
- Scilla peruviana var. killianii (Maire)
- Scilla pseudoperuviana (Tineo ex Lojac.)
- Scilla speciosa (Samp.)
- Scilla peruviana var. pallidiflora ((Jord. & Fourr.) Maire & Weiller)
- Caloscilla elegans (Jord. & Fourr.)
- Caloscilla grandiflora (Jord. & Fourr.)
- Ornithogalum coeruleum (Parl.)
- Scilla peruviana var. elegans ((Jord. & Fourr.) Maire & Weiller)
- Scilla peruviana var. gattefossei (Maire)
- Scilla peruviana var. subcarnea ((Jord. & Fourr.) Maire & Weiller)
- Scilla clusiana (Endl.)
- Scilla peruviana var. diluta (Maire)
- Scilla ciliaris (Anon.)
- Scilla peruviana var. venusta ((Jord. & Fourr.) Maire & Weiller)
Distribution
- Algeria (native)
- Egypt (native)
- Italy (native)
- Libya (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- Spain (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Canary Is. (introduced)
- Great Britain (introduced)
- Mexico Central (introduced)
- New Zealand North (introduced)
- New Zealand South (introduced)
- South Australia (introduced)
- Tasmania (introduced)
Additional Images
Habit
Taken Apr 9, 2022 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 25, 2020 by plantafou11 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 29, 2021 by Alvaro Delgado (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 25, 2020 by plantafou11 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 20, 2021 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Mar 15, 2020 by fatih iliass (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 19, 2020 by Didier EYCHENNE (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 27, 2021 by mareblu71 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 30, 2022 by lau Maubecq (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 20, 2021 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Apr 24, 2020 by Joe Urban (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 20, 2020 by Ingrid Viviani (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 18, 2020 by bron moore (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 9, 2020 by lea (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 30, 2020 by Quentin Bussac (cc-by-sa)
© 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.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2767432)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:540971-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Scilla peruviana L.)
Specifications
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.0
Ph minimum: 6.5
Light: 8
Atmospheric humidity: 7
Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’, ‘jun’]
Soil nutriments: 5
