Fessia is a Middle Eastern genus previously included in Scilla. It is a member of the Hyacinthaceae family (or the expanded Asparagaceae family). It has glossy black seeds that lack appendages, rather large anthers and persistent tepals.
Fessia greilhuberi (Speta) Speta, syn. Scilla greilhuberi Speta, puts out leaves in early autumn and bears 10 inch racemes of pendent blue bells. It bears quite a few leaves, perhaps too many. This species is sometimes confused with Fessia hohenackeri but the main difference is in the leaves which are longer besides appearing at another time. It is native to Iran. It survives outside in the Pacific Northwest in shaded areas that are dry in summer. Photos by John Lonsdale and Mary Sue Ittner.
Fessia hohenackeri (Fisch. & C.A.Mey.) Speta, syn. Scilla hohenackeri Fisch. & C.A.Mey., waits until spring to sprout its neater leaves and is equal to Fessia greilhuberi in beauty. It has mid lilac-blue flowers. It is from northwest Iran and adjacent areas in the Talysh mountains where it is found in woods and shady rock crevices. Photo by John Lonsdale.
Fessia puschkinioides (Regel) Speta, syn. Scilla puschkinioides Regel, is native to Soviet Central Asia on mountain slopes. It is easy to grow, but not very showy with white or pale blue starry flowers. First photo by John Lonsdale, 2nd and 3rd photos of the two color forms taken in their habitat in Tajikistan by Oron Peri.
