Leucojum

Leucojum, commonly known as snowflakes, is a small genus of bulbous perennial flowering plants in the Amaryllidaceae family. Native to Europe, western and central Asia, and parts of North Africa, Leucojum species are cultivated worldwide for their white, bell-shaped flowers that resemble snowdrops but are typically larger and bloom later in the season. The genus includes several species, most notably Leucojum aestivum (summer snowflake), Leucojum vernum (snowflake), and Leucojum autumnale (autumn snowflake). Some taxonomic treatments have placed Leucojum within Galanthus or recognized additional taxa, but current classification treats them as a distinct genus within Amaryllidaceae.

Morphology and flowers: Leucojum plants are bulbous perennials with narrow, grasslike leaves. Each flowering stem bears one to several terminal or subterminal flowers, usually white with six tepals. A green or yellow mark often appears at the tip of each tepal. Flowers are larger than typical snowdrops and bloom in different seasons depending on the species—L. aestivum in spring to early summer, L. vernum in late winter to early spring, and L. autumnale in autumn.

Habitat and cultivation: In the wild they inhabit damp meadows, riverbanks, and woodlands, favoring moist, well-drained soils and partial shade. In cultivation they are valued for hardiness and reliable flowering. They propagate by offsets or seed and can form naturalized colonies in suitable climates. Parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested.