Pancratium illyricum

Taxobox
name = "Pancratium illyricum"

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image_width = 240px
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Liliopsida
ordo = Asparagales
familia = Amaryllidaceae
genus = "Pancratium"
species = "P. illyricum"
binomial = "Pancratium illyricum"
binomial_authority = L. (1753) Sp. Pl. 291.
synonyms = *"Halmyra stellaris" Parl.
"Pancratium stellare" Salisb.
"Zouchia illyrica" (L.) Raf.

"Pancratium illyricum" is a species of Amaryllidaceae native to Corsica, Sardinia and Capraia. It grows on rocky slopes and sparse woodland areas, from sea level to more than 1300 m above sea level. It is a bulbous perennial with glaucous leaves, 30–60 cm long, 1½–½ cm wide. Leaves disappear after flowering, in early summer, and the plants goes dormant. The scape is up to 45 cm long, and the flowers are clustered in umbels of about 12, and are white with a short corona and very fragrant. Flowers appear in April to June. "Pancratium canariense" from the Canary Islands is very similar. It has broader leaves, longer flower-stalks and flowers in the autumn.

Ethymology

The specific epithet "illyricum" mean "from Illyria", a region in former Yugoslavia. Not well suited as the plant does not grow there. The Italian name is "giglio stella" = star lily.

Cultivation

Easy to grow and flowers freely if planted near a south facing wall. Slow to increase. It is the hardiest Pancratium - USDA zone 8 and probably 7 in sheltered position with a southern aspect. Full sun in cooler climates, otherwise light shade. Propagation by seeds or division.

References

*Phillips. R. and Rix. M. (1989) Bulbs. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30253-1
*Polunin, O. (1987) Flowers of Greece and the Balkans - A Field Guide ISBN 0192819984