yellow squills in Passenger to Teheran
Jim McKenney (Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:41:05 PST)

Thanks for the suggestions, Leo.

Chlidanthus is neotropical so we can rule that out.

Sternbergia is autumn blooming; the passage in question seems to be
describing late-winter flowers (Iris persica was in bloom at the same time).

I can't rule out yellow hyacinths; yes, that would be a possibility.
However, the yellow hyacinths I know (the cultivated ones) are yellow only
under cool, dim conditions. In the sunny garden with any heat they quickly
fade to a creamy color. Nor am I aware of wild yellow hyacinths forming
abundant populations.

So let's keep looking!

Jim McKenney