Scilla litardierei (syn. S. amethystina, S. pratensis, S. albanica, S. italica, S. nutans, Chouardia litardierrei) the Amethyst Meadow Squill (or Dalmatian Scilla) is a bulbous perennial, grown for its blue grape-hyacinth like flowers, blooming in late spring, much later than the more popular Siberian squill and later than Muscari which it resembles. Originating in the western Balkans, hence Dalmatian Scilla, it was introduced to western Europe (England) in 1827. It has become much more easily available since 2004. Grass like leaves 3-6, 3-8mm wide, tapering to a point. Up to 70 blue-violet flower buds on each stem in a dense raceme, which open into star shaped flowers. Height: 15-20 cm. Preferring partial shade it will naturalise. To quote Stedje (2001): "The definition of genera and the assignment of species to genera within the family Hyacinthaceae or subfamily Scilleae of the family Liliaceae, have troubled taxonomists since Linnaeus.