STERNBERGIA LUTEA subsp. SICULA

Family:- AMARYLLIDACEAE

Common Names:- Slender sternbergia

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.

Bulb:-

a) 10-16mm diam.

Scape:-

a) 4-10 cm.

b) erect, slender.

c) hairless.

Leaves:-

1) Basal:

a) up to 15 mm wide.

b) 3-9, dark green, with a pale waxy central stripe.

c) strap-shaped, slightly channelled.

d) appearing with or before the flowers.

Flowers:-

a) 40-50 mm long.

b) goblet-shaped and crocus-like.

c) Golden-yellow.

1) Spathe:

a) 2·5-5 cm.

2) Hypanthial tube:

a) (2-)5-8 mm.

b) obconical.

3) Perianth-segments:

a) 4-15 mm wide.

b) linear to oblong-elliptical, erect or two or come together (but are lot fused)

distally (connivent), later spreading (patent).

Fruit:-

1) Capsule:

a) 8-10 mm diam.

b) with 3 chambers.

c) fleshy.

Key features:-

1) Scape usually at least 4 cm at anthesis.

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

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