Corolla 6 petaled, expanding, deciduous. Filaments thread-shaped.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Scilla, tetraphylla, scapis plurimis semiteretibus, striatis, bifloris, post florescentiam decumbentibus.
Scilla, four-leaved, with many semicylindrical, scored, two-flowered stalks, which after flowering are decumbent.
Descriptio. Radix bulbosus, magnus pro ratione magnitudinis plantæ. Folia in bulbis senectis, sæpius 4, latiuscula, aliquo striatula, parum recurvata, apice obcuneata et subinvoluta. Scapi 3-5: 1-2, vel rarissime 3-flori, inæquales, semicylindrici, valde striati, lucidi, vix palmares, superne atro-cærulescentes. Pedunculi alterni, remoti, difformes, 1-6 lineares, basi bibracteati, erecti, apice nutantes, vel cernui, uniflori, atro-cærulescentes. Bracteæ difformes, parvulæ, inferne purpurascentes, superne albæ et membranaceæ. Corolla hexapetala, nutans, vel cernua, campanulata. Petala sublanceolata, obtusa, concavo-incurva, lætissime cærulea; intus pallidiora, basi albicantia, costâ utrinque saturatiore. Filamenta 6, filiformia, compressa, alba, superne profunde cærulea, petalis duplo breviora. Antheræ majusculæ æruginosa. Germen pallidum, subrotundum, 6-sulcatum, sulcis alternis profundioribus. Stylus antheris superans, decumbens, basi albus, superne azureus. Stigma obsoletissimum.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The Flower spread open, with one Chive magnified.
2. The Pointal and Seed-bud, the Summit magnified
This nondescript and beautiful species of the genus Scilla, is allied to Scilla præcox of Willdenow; but appears to differ in too many particulars, to admit of their being united. It is a native of Siberia, increases slowly by the root, but sometimes ripens seeds in this country. It commences flowering in the beginning of February, before the common Scilla bifolia; but continues in beauty long after that plant is past; and although perfectly hardy, its flowers are liable to be injured by strong frosts, unless occasionally protected.
It thrives well in a light soil, and warm situation; but, like all dwarf plants, appears to most advantage in a pot: and indeed, succeeds best with the treatment usually given to alpine plants.[Pg 11]
