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Drimia maritima

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Urginea maritima
Phonetic Spelling
Da-RY-mee-a ma-RIT-iy-muh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Red Squill is a large bulb from the Mediterranean coastal areas. The basal leaves are strap-like and fleshy and appear in the winter. The flowers appear as tall spikes of white flowers in late summer. It needs protection below 28F and will need to be brought indoors in colder climates.

Plant in the garden with only the top inch of the bulb above ground level and spaced 18-24 inch apart to allow individual clumps to spread. The soil needs to be well-drained, sandy soils being best, but can be grown in heavier soils if on a slope.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#bulb#showy flowers#poisonous#rock garden#sandy soils tolerant#container plant#coastal plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#bulb#showy flowers#poisonous#rock garden#sandy soils tolerant#container plant#coastal plant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Drimia
    Species:
    maritima
    Family:
    Asparagaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    The red bulb (variety rubra) contains the rat poison "scilliroside", while the white bulb is used as a cardiotonic.
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    France, Italy, Morocco, Portugal and Spain
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Poisonous
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    Stalks of white flowers sometimes tinged with purple-red striations on the sepals. Blooms late summer into autumn.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are 12-18 inches long by 4 inches wide and are blue-green glaucus strap-shaped leaves that emerge in late fall and last into the following summer.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Houseplants
    Landscape Theme:
    Rock Garden
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain if eaten
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Cardiac glycosides
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Seeds
    Stems