star hyacinth

English

Noun

star hyacinth (plural star hyacinths)

1. A bulbous-rooted plant, a species of squill, Scilla verna, with pinkish-purple flowers, found in the Mediterranean, Turkey and the Caucasus, and along the south coast of England.
2. A similar plant, Prospero autumnale (formerly Scilla autumnalis), native to western Europe from France, Spain and Portugal, in coastal areas throughout the British Isles, as well as Norway and the Faroe Islands.
3. A related plant with blue flowers, Scilla amoena, native to Turkey, but introduced in Europe from the Balkans to France and cultivated in England

Usage notes

When mentioned together in reference works, Scilla verna is generally referred to as spring star hyacinth or spring squill, Prospero autumnalis is autumn star hyacinth or autumn squill, and "star hyacinth" is reserved for Scilla amoena.

• 
  Scilla verna
• 
  Prospero autumnalis
• 
  Scilla amoena