SCILLA NANA

Family and Genus:- See- HYACINTHACEAE

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- Chionodoxa nana, Hyacinthus nanus.

Meaning:- Scilla (Gr) Ancient name for squill.

Nana (Gr) Very small, dwarf.

General description:- Bulbous plants with two leaves, 1, or more, 6-segmented

flowers.

Bulb:- Ovoid.

Stem:-

1) Usually 8-18 cm., simple.

Leaves:-

1) 2, as long as the stem, 4-10 mm wide, linear-lanceolate, somewhat cucullate, at

the apex.

Flowers:-

1) 1-3(-5).

2) Perianth, (12-)14-19 mm, blue; tube 3·5-5 x 2-3 mm, segments oblong-

spathulate, obtuse or emarginate.

3) Filaments, c. 3 mm.

4) Anthers, c. 4 mm.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule, loculicidal, with few seeds.

Key features:-

1) Perianth, (12-)14-19 mm, blue; tube 3·5-5 x c. 2 mm.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Meadow-like patches in thorncushion communities, seasonally damp cliff

ledges, dolines. (1000-)1400-2300 m. Often in patches of melting snow with Crocus

siebri. etc.

Distribution:- Cretan endemic of the Kedros, Psiloritis, Dikti and Afendis Kavousi

massifs.

Flowering time:- Mar-May.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton