Puschkinia
Puschkinia is a genus of four known species of bulbous perennials in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae. It is native to the Caucasus and the Middle East. "Puschkinia scilloides" is grown as an ornamental bulbous plant. Description. The leaves are green, strap-like, and grow in pairs. The flowers are borne in early spring in racemes up to about high. The six tepals are joined at the base to form a tube to about half their length. Like members of the former genus "Chionodoxa" (now a section of "Scilla"), the bases of the stamens are flattened and closely clustered  in the middle of the flower; however, unlike "Chionodoxa", they are joined to form a cup or corona. In the related genus "Scilla" (squills), the stamens are not joined together. Seeds are borne in three-parted capsules. After the seed ripens in early summer, the plants become dormant until the next spring. Taxonomy. The genus "Puschkinia" was erected by Johann Friedrich Adam in 1805. It is named in honor of the Russian botanist Apollo Mussin-Pushkin. Now placed in the subfamily Scilloideae of the family Asparagaceae, like other lilioid monocots, it was once included in the Liliaceae. Species. , the World  Checklist of Selected Plant Families accepted four species: Cultivation. "Puschkinia scilloides" is grown as an ornamental bulbous plant, particularly recommended as an early flowering bulb for cool, well drained positions. "Puschkinia peshmenii" is rare in cultivation. Culture. In 1993, an illustration of "Puschkinia scilloides" was used as a postage stamp in Azerbaijan, with a series of other flowers, including "Iris reticulata", "Tulipa systola" (syn. "T. persica"), "Iris acutiloba", "Iris iberica" subsp. "elegantissima" (syn. "I. elegantissima") and "Tulipa florenskyii".