(syn. Urginea maritima) Sea Squill - A large bulb to 30 cm wide that often rests partially above ground and produces 40 cm long by 6 cm wide glaucous blue/green strap-shaped leaves that emerge in late autumn and last into the following summer. Instead of forming bulbils as basal offsets, this bulb splits dichotomously, forming 2 bulbs for each one and eventually making a large clump.

During the summer, the leaves diminish and in mid-summer tall stalks emerge with tightly clustered pink-tinged white flower buds that open from the bottom up to expose the star shaped white flowers with yellow centres. These produce bird, insect and bee attracting nectar. Layers of heavy papery skins cover the bulbs, which protects from sun and even fire – the flowers of this bulb are noted for emerging in an otherwise blackened post fire landscape. As such, they are very useful to insects during the height of summer, especially following wildfires.

Plant in full sun to light shade in a well-drained soil, although they seem to do quite well in the red Barrocal clay so long as they are not in a puddle. Drought tolerant and suited to survive in very poor soil.