Scilla
Scilla
Scilla (pronunciation: /ˈsɪlə/), also known as Squill, is a genus of about 50 to 80 bulb-forming perennial herbs in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae. Native to woodlands, subalpine meadows, and seashores throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle-East, Scilla has a long history of medicinal use.
Etymology
The name Scilla comes from the Greek word "skilla", which was used to refer to sea onions and other bulbous plants. The term was later Latinized to "Scilla" by Carl Linnaeus, the Swedish botanist, zoologist, and physician who formalized the modern system of naming organisms called binomial nomenclature.
Medical Uses
Scilla has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. The bulbs of the plant contain a cardiac glycoside that is similar to digitalis and has been used as a traditional heart remedy. It has also been used as a diuretic, expectorant, and cough suppressant. However, it should be noted that the plant is also highly toxic and should only be used under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.
Related Terms
- Asparagaceae: The family of flowering plants that Scilla belongs to.
- Scilloideae: A subfamily within the Asparagaceae family.
- Carl Linnaeus: The botanist who named the Scilla genus.
- Cardiac glycoside: A type of compound that is used to treat heart conditions.
- Digitalis: A genus of plants that also contains cardiac glycosides.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Scilla
- Wikipedia's article - Scilla
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