Fauna
Plant

Portuguese Squill

Scilla peruviana

Also known as Peruvian Hyacinth, Cuban Lily, Hyacinth of Peru

Portuguese squill puts on a dramatic spring display, sending up dense, pyramidal flower heads packed with up to a hundred starry, violet-blue blossoms. Adapted to the Mediterranean cycle of cool, wet winters and baking summers, the plant sprouts broad rosettes of strap-like leaves in autumn and retreats to an underground bulb by midsummer. Despite its misleading botanical epithet, which arose because an early cataloged specimen arrived in England aboard a ship named The Peru, it is entirely native to southwestern Europe and northwest Africa.

PerennialMediterraneanSpring Blooming
Portuguese Squill reference1 / 7
(c) Karim Haddad, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Karim Haddad · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (photosynthetic)
Predators
  • Snails
  • Slugs
ThreatsHabitat clearance, coastal development, and overgrazing
HabitatsRocky hillsides, damp meadows, coastal scrub, and Mediterranean woodlands
Life spanPerennial (decades via recurring bulb division)
Classification
  1. FamilyAsparagaceae
  2. SpeciesScilla peruviana
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
All parts contain cardiac glycosides and saponins toxic to humans and pets; do not ingest.
Why it is dangerous
Contains toxic saponins and cardiac glycosides that cause vomiting, abdominal cramping, and heart arrhythmias if consumed.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognized by broad, lance-shaped basal leaves and a central spike of up to a hundred blue, star-shaped blossoms.
What to do
Wear gloves when planting or dividing bulbs to prevent sap irritation, and keep away from pets and livestock.
Responsible observation
  • Bloom Timing: Look for massive flower heads opening from the bottom tiers upward during mid-spring.
  • Pet Safety: Keep curious dogs away from cultivated plantings, as buried bulbs contain concentrated toxins.
  • Seasonal Dormancy: Allow leaves to turn yellow naturally in summer so the bulb can recharge for next year.
Related species
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