Leaf
Jean-Jacques Houdré, Tela Botanica · CC BY-SA 2.0
Alpine squill
Scilla bifolia L.
Also known as: Two-leaved squill
Family: Asparagaceae
10 to 15 cm tall
Open woodland, meadows, gardens, cool soils
Flowering: February – April
Part shade
Hardy to -25°C
❓ How do you recognise this plant?
Its carpets of bright blue flowers on the woodland floor announce, together with snowdrops, the arrival of spring.
🍃 Leaves
Two narrow, fleshy leaves per bulb, bright green
🌸 Flowers
Small bright blue stars in a loose raceme
🍎 Fruits
Small globose capsules
🪵 Bark
Underground bulb, short flower stalk
🗺️ Distribution
Central and eastern Europe; rare and localised in open woods and meadows in France (mainly the north-east).
🐝 Value for pollinators
Very early blue flowers, rich in pollen for the first bees of spring.
✂️ Horticultural uses
Naturalising in lawns and light woodland, rock gardens; early blue flowering in a light carpet.
⚠️ Possible toxicity
Bulb toxic if ingested (cardiotonic glycosides/bufadienolides), like other Liliaceae/Asparagaceae.
🌿 Other Asparagaceae to discover
ℹ️ Educational profile — do not use it to judge whether a plant is edible or safe.
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