Alpine Squill - Scilla bifolia, species information page

Alpine Squill - Scilla bifolia, click for a larger photo

Alpine Squill - Scilla bifolia
Family - Liliaceae

This plant is poisonous.

A small bulbous plant to be found in dappled sunny woodland spots on nutrient and humus rich, damp but well drained soil during May to July. Small bright blue six petaled star shaped flowers 20mm (0.75in) across, four to six on a spike, similar in shape to Star of Bethlehem (also found in Brickfields Park). The flowers tend to fade or be a paler colour with increasing sunlight. Two (occasionally upto five) dark green glossy basal strap like leaves approx 15cm (6in) long. Grows from a small bulb 2-3cm (0.75-1.25in) diameter, hardy in the correct conditions, it will readily naturalise if left alone, propagates by seed.

Other colour forms are found -
White - S. b. alba, a pretty ivory-white form, quite scarce.
Pink - S. b. rosea, a new garden form with deep rosy flowers.

This plant is poisonous.

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