Scilla autumnalis - Autumn Squill - (Liliaceae)

This member of the Lily family comes into flower before the leaves of the plant appear, making it quite hard to spot. Scilla Autumnalis is a perennial plant which produces bulbs below the ground.

Autumn Squill

This pretty little scilla is the only widespread autumn-flowering squill species to be found throughout the Mediterranean region. It flowers from September through to November, but is most commonly found in the latter part of its flowering time. The star-shaped flowers are variable in colour from pale pink to purple.

Closeup of Autumn Squill

Pictures by kind permission of Rico Klotz

The plants grow in dry grassy places and also in rocky, stony and sandy habitats.

This specimen was photographed in the Algarve in Portugal in November.