SPECIES DESCRIPTION
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