STERNBERGIA LUTEA subsp. SICULA

Family and Genus:- AMARYLLIDACEAE

Common Names:- Slender sternbergia

Homotypic Synonyms:- Sternbergia sicula.

Meaning:- Sternbergia (L) For Count Kasper Moritz von Sternbergia of Prague.

(1761-1838).

Sicula (Gr) From Sicily, Sicilian.

General description:- Herbaceous plant.

Scape:-

1) 4-10 cm, erect, slender, glabrous.

Bulb:-

1) 10-16mm diam.

Leaves:-

1) Basal, up to 15 mm wide, 3-9, dark green, with a pale waxy central stripe.

ligulate, slightly canaliculate, appearing with or before the flowers.

Flowers:-

1) 40-50 mm long, goblet-shaped and crocus-like, golden-yellow.

1) Spathe, 2·5-5 cm.

2) Hypanthial tube, (2-)5-8 mm, obconical.

3) Perianth-segments, 4-15 mm wide, linear to oblong-elliptical, erect or two or

more come together (but are lot fused), connivent, patent.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule, 8-10 mm diam, with 3 chambers, fleshy.

Key features:-

1) Scape, usually at least 4 cm at anthesis.

2) Hypanthial tube, (2-)5-8 mm.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Rocky limestone slopes with open woodland or dry open shrubby

vegetation, rock ledges, 0-1100 m

Distribution:- S. Italy, Sicily, S. Greece and the Aegean Is. Widespread and

common on Crete.

Flowering time:- Oct-Dec.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton