Scilla siberica (Siberian Squill)
| Also known as: | |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Scilla |
| Family: | Liliaceae (Lily) |
| Life cycle: | perennial |
| Origin: | Eurasia |
| Status: |
|
| Habitat: | part shade, sun; moist soil; open woods, roadsides, gardens |
| Bloom season: | March - May |
| Plant height: | 3 to 6 inches |
| USDA PLANTS database: | Minnesota county distribution map |
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Detailed Information
Flower: 
![[photo of flower]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/scilla-siberica-5829-1.jpg)
Flowers are single, or in a raceme of 2 or 3 flowers at the top of a slender naked stem. Each flower is about 1 inch across when fully open, has 6 flaring blue petals with a darker blue stripe down the center and 6 white stamens with dark blue tips. The flowers are somewhat bell-shaped when not fully open. Other cultivars of this species may have white, pink or blue-violet flowers.
Leaves and stem:
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/blue/siberian-squill_0501_104952.jpg)
Leaves are basal and grass-like, to 5 inches long and ¼ to ½ inch wide. Leaves and stems are hairless.
A plant may have several flowering stems.
Notes:
This is a classic case of gardening gone awry. Siberian Squill was brought to this country as an ornamental and is still sold in Minnesota and elsewhere, but it has also escaped into the wild and become invasive. It readily spreads itself and is difficult to get rid of, as broken roots often resprout. It is very hardy and cold tolerant, and is left untouched by critters from voles to deer. Sadly, the same traits that make it attractive as a garden plant (besides the vivid color) are also what make it invasive. Large colonies of squill can be seen in the eastern counties of the state, from Duluth to Rochester. There is even an infestation at the University of Minnesota St Paul campus, just a block away from the Bell Herbarium. It is currently unknown how far west its range has expanded (the county distribution map at USDA Plants is quite outdated). Found in the wild, this species has been mistaken for harebell and blue-eyed grass, both native species.
Please, all you gardeners out there: stop planting this. Spring blooming native species with blue flowers you might plant instead are Hepatica (Hepatica nobilis), bluebells (Mertensia virginica or M. paniculata), blue phlox (Phlox divaricata) or any number of native violets. Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia) could provide bell-shaped blue flowers for the rest of the season.
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More photos
Siberian Squill plants, garden grown
an infestation of Siberian Squill 
flowers not fully open Photos by K. Chayka taken at Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, Coon Rapids, MN, May 2008. Photo courtesy Dan Ondler taken in Oronoco, MN. Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk taken in a private garden in Lino Lakes, MN.
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2011-04-16 09:01:34
Finally, after 40 years of living in the same house, I have identified the little blue flowers that blossom with the snow on the ground. Early Siberian Squill. They grow wild along the front of my house. I find them to be quite beautiful. I find nothing offensive about them. A whole lot prettier than dandilions, which I wish were gone, gone, gone. So all you gardeners out there, bite me. My Squill will be left in peace, while I continue to fight a war on the big 'D'.
on: 2011-04-19 10:54:59
Thank you for helping me to identify this plant. It is growing like a carpet in places in the dog park in the Lake Minnewashta Park.
on: 2011-04-28 08:55:22
Found it growing in the stand of evergreens on the east side of the SMSU nature walk. There are both white and blue varieties with the white seeming to be more vigorous. It is not a very big area so far. I was excited to find this pretty little flower and now I learn it is another invasive plant.
on: 2011-05-11 10:47:59
Mmm, invasive yes, but considering the fact that Scilla goes completely dormant in late spring, I'm not sure how much it is actually hurting other plants that are just beginning to sprout at that time.
on: 2011-05-11 13:33:37
Considering that Scilla has crowded out the early natives, such as bloodroot, hepatica, and other woodland species, I can't say that it is NOT hurting other plants. Native insects depend on those early natives as a food source that Scilla cannot provide. It's a lost ecosystem.
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on: 2010-04-15 23:20:40
For as long as I?ve been involved in the discussion, gardeners and other foreign plant dealers have insisted that very few of the plant species they introduce to ?improve? our environment actually turn out to be invasive. The example often given is the spring flowering bulbs from the Netherlands. I disagree. If it is hardy here and can produce propagules, it will always?sooner or later?invade native habitat, just as Siberian Squill is proving now. I saw it first in the "wild", many years ago now, running up and down the Grindstone River just outside of Hinckley. Anita Cholewa at the Bell Herbarium told me it was being reported all over the state. It is as bad if not worse than garlic mustard?you can't even pull this crap.
Which gardeners are now willing to stand up and take responsibility, or is this just another "so sorry"? Gardeners, this is stupid... mindless... enough!