Quick Characteristics:
| Height: | 10-20 cm (3.9-7.9 inch) |
| Flower Colors: | yellow |
| Flower Season: | mid autumn |
| Climate: | USDA Zone 7-9 |
Sternbergia lutea (L.) Ker Gawl. ex Spreng. is the most often grown of the fall blooming species, found in Europe and Asia. In Italy it occurs usually in stony soils, in open areas. It is still rather common in rural areas, along country roads. Height range: 10-20 cm. The first three photos were taken by Angelo Porcelli. The fourth photo was taken in the Mani Peninsula, southern Greece, in late October, by Jane McGary.
Occasionally, multi-petal forms can occur, as in Zephyranthes. The first photo taken in habitat by Angelo Porcelli in Apulia, Southern Italy, illustrates this. The next two by John Lonsdale show the typical forms.
These are forms Angelo Porcelli has selected in habitat. The first photo shows a very floriferous form with flowers of normal size that sprout in mass without leaves. The second and third photos show a form with very large flowers with a nice cup shape. The fourth photo is another large flower form but with straight tepals. The fifth photo is of one referred to as in the 'Angustifolia' group. There was a named species, Sternbergia angustifolia Krelage, but that species is now included in this species. Photos were taken by Angelo Porcelli, who shows his hand for comparison.
