Horticulture/Scilla

Scilla (squill) is a genus of bulbous perennial herbs in the hyacinth family ../Colchicaceae/. 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.

Several African species previously classified in Scilla have been removed to the genus ../Ledebouria/. The best known of these is the common houseplant still sometimes known as Scilla violacea but now properly ../Ledebouria socialis/.

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.

Description
Bulbous perennials with strap-like, fark green leaves. Flowers held on small scapes above the foliage.

Species
Species include:
 * ../Scilla bifolia/
 * ../Scilla peruviana/ (Portuguese Squill, Corymbose Squill, or Cuban Lily)
 * ../Scilla scilloides/
 * ../Scilla siberica/ (Siberian Squill)
 * ../Scilla verna/ (Spring Squill)

Uses
Some species are suitable for planting in lawns, otherwise they are generally grown in ground covers.

Squill liquid extract, a preparation of powdered squill and ethanol, is used as an ingredient in cough medicines and cardiac surgery.

Propagation
By offset or seed.

Pests and diseases
../Rusts/
 * ../Uromyces muscari/