Andalucia Life Fauna and Flora, Flowers of Andalucia Southern Spain

May 2004, Giant Squill, Scilla peruviana

This specimen was seen at La Janda in March. It was one of many in a field near the El Celemin picnic area together with thousands of other colourful flowering plants more spectacular than any alpine meadow I have ever seen. It is native to this area, southern Portugal and North Africa, you are unlikely to see it further east than Ronda.

This plant grows from a large bulb with dark green spreading leaves in acid to neutral soil, preferably muddy in spring, it will not grow on limestone. The leaves are channelled to encourage every drop of water, even dew, to make its way to the bulb head. The flowering stem may only be 10-15 cms high but can reach 50 cms. Over 100 small flowers form a flattened cone shaped head. It likes spring rain and warmth and will soon wither in dry conditions.

The Giant Squill is cultivated for gardens in temperate areas. Its resemblance to the hyacinth is no accident since it belongs to the Hyacinthus genus of the Liliacaea family.

You should never dig up wild plants, rare or common, but you can collect seed. The Giant Squill will reproduce quite happily from its seeds which should be ready about now. You are not supposed to take seeds from Spain back to the UK.