Sternbergia
Encyclopedia
Sternbergia is a genus in the family Amaryllidaceae
, subfamily Amaryllidoideae, of around 8 species that show a broad distribution throughout Mediterranean Europe and Asia. It was first described by Clusius
in 1601 as Narcissus, before being redescribed by Carl Linnaeus as Amaryllis
in 1753. The plant referred to by both these descriptions is now recognised as being Sternbergia lutea
, which was described by Franz von Waldstein
and Pál Kitaibel
in 1803, although their first validation of the name Sternbergia was applied to S. colchiciflora
.
This genus contains a number of species of flowering bulbs which rather resemble Crocus
. These plants produce golden-yellow goblet-shaped flowers borne on stalks some way above the ground that open during the autumn or early winter. The flower is composed of six stamens and a single style
attached to an inferior ovary. Long, strap-like leaves may appear with the flowers or sometime after. The only two exceptions to this are S. vernalis
and S. candida
which flower in the spring, with S. candida producing striking white flowers.
The genus has gained notability due to the widespread use of S. lutea as a garden plant. This species has been found in cultivation for several hundred years, and has become naturalised in many parts of northern Europe, greatly extending its natural range.
Amaryllidaceae
Amaryllidoideae is the subfamily of flowering plants that takes its name from the genus Amaryllis. It is part of the family Amaryllidaceae, in order Asparagales...
, subfamily Amaryllidoideae, of around 8 species that show a broad distribution throughout Mediterranean Europe and Asia. It was first described by Clusius
Charles de l'Écluse
Charles de l'Écluse, L'Escluse, or Carolus Clusius , seigneur de Watènes, was a Flemish doctor and pioneering botanist, perhaps the most influential of all 16th century scientific horticulturists....
in 1601 as Narcissus, before being redescribed by Carl Linnaeus as Amaryllis
Amaryllis
Amaryllis is a small genus of flowering bulbs, with two species. The better known of the two, Amaryllis belladonna, is a native of South Africa, particularly the rocky southwest region near the Cape...
in 1753. The plant referred to by both these descriptions is now recognised as being Sternbergia lutea
Sternbergia lutea
Sternbergia lutea is a bulbous flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae, subfamily Amaryllidoideae, which is used as an ornamental plant...
, which was described by Franz von Waldstein
Franz de Paula Adam von Waldstein
Franz de Paula Adam Norbert Wenzel Ludwig Valentin von Waldstein was an Austrian soldier, explorer and naturalist....
and Pál Kitaibel
Pál Kitaibel
Pál Kitaibel was a Hungarian botanist and chemist.He was born at Mattersburg and studied botany and chemistry at the undersity of Buda. He became professor taught these subjects at Pest in 1794...
in 1803, although their first validation of the name Sternbergia was applied to S. colchiciflora
Sternbergia colchiciflora
Sternbergia colchiciflora is a bulbous flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae, subfamily Amaryllidoideae, which is sometimes used as an ornamental plant. It has yellow flowers which appear in autumn....
.
This genus contains a number of species of flowering bulbs which rather resemble Crocus
Crocus
Crocus is a genus in the iris family comprising about 80 species of perennials growing from corms. Many are cultivated for their flowers appearing in autumn, winter, or spring...
. These plants produce golden-yellow goblet-shaped flowers borne on stalks some way above the ground that open during the autumn or early winter. The flower is composed of six stamens and a single style
Gynoecium
Gynoecium is most commonly used as a collective term for all carpels in a flower. A carpel is the ovule and seed producing reproductive organ in flowering plants. Carpels are derived from ovule-bearing leaves which evolved to form a closed structure containing the ovules...
attached to an inferior ovary. Long, strap-like leaves may appear with the flowers or sometime after. The only two exceptions to this are S. vernalis
Sternbergia vernalis
Sternbergia vernalis is a bulbous flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae, subfamily Amaryllidoideae, which is sometimes used as an ornamental plant. It has yellow flowers which appear in spring....
and S. candida
Sternbergia candida
Sternbergia candida is a bulbous flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae, subfamily Amaryllidoideae, which is used as an ornamental. It has white flowers which appear in spring.-Description:...
which flower in the spring, with S. candida producing striking white flowers.
The genus has gained notability due to the widespread use of S. lutea as a garden plant. This species has been found in cultivation for several hundred years, and has become naturalised in many parts of northern Europe, greatly extending its natural range.
Species
, the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families recognizes eight species:- Sternbergia candidaSternbergia candidaSternbergia candida is a bulbous flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae, subfamily Amaryllidoideae, which is used as an ornamental. It has white flowers which appear in spring.-Description:...
B.Mathew & T.Baytop - Sternbergia clusianaSternbergia clusianaSternbergia clusiana is a bulbous flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae, subfamily Amaryllidoideae, which is sometimes used as an ornamental plant. It has greenish-yellow flowers which appear in autumn.-Description:...
(Ker Gawl.) Ker Gawl. ex Spreng., including S. grandiflora Boiss. ex Baker, S. latifolia Boiss. & Hausskn. ex Baker, S. macrantha (J.Gay) J.Gay ex Baker, S. sparffiordiana Dinsm., S. stipitata Boiss. & Hausskn. in P.E.Boissier - Sternbergia colchicifloraSternbergia colchicifloraSternbergia colchiciflora is a bulbous flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae, subfamily Amaryllidoideae, which is sometimes used as an ornamental plant. It has yellow flowers which appear in autumn....
Waldst. & Kit., including S. alexandrae Sosn., S. citrina (Herb.) Ker Gawl. ex Schult. & Schult.f. in J.J.Roemer & J.A.Schultes, S. etnensis (Raf.) Guss., S. exscapa Tineo in G.Gussone - Sternbergia luteaSternbergia luteaSternbergia lutea is a bulbous flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae, subfamily Amaryllidoideae, which is used as an ornamental plant...
(L.) Ker Gawl. ex Spreng., including S. aurantiaca Dinsm. in G.E.Post, S. sicula Tineo ex Guss, S. greuteriana Kamari & R.Artelari - Sternbergia minoica Ravenna
- Sternbergia pulchellaSternbergia pulchellaSternbergia pulchella is a bulbous flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae, subfamily Amaryllidoideae. It has yellow flowers which appear in autumn....
Boiss. & Blanche in P.E.Boissier - Sternbergia schubertii Schenk
- Sternbergia vernalisSternbergia vernalisSternbergia vernalis is a bulbous flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae, subfamily Amaryllidoideae, which is sometimes used as an ornamental plant. It has yellow flowers which appear in spring....
(Mill.) Gorer & J.H.Harvey, including S. fischeriana (Herb.) Roem.
Sources
- Mathew, B. (1983). A Review of the Genus Sternbergia. The Plantsman 5: 1–16.
- Mathew, B. (1984). Sternbergia. In: Davis, PH, ed., Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands 8: 360–364. Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh.
- Pasche E, Kerndorff, H. 2002. Die Gattung Sternbergia Waldst. & Kit.(Asparagales, Amaryllidaceae) im Vergleich, unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der wiederentdeckten Sternbergia schubertii Schenk. Stapfia 80: 395–417