Snowflakes, Dewdrops
& St. Agnes' Flower

Currently, there are considered to be only three species in this genus. They are bulb plants and one species flowers in the spring, another in early summer and the third in the fall. The name is of Greek origin leukos, meaning white, is in reference to the color of the flowers.

 

PGC-B-Leucojum-vernum-5-2010-012
Leucojum autumnale Autumn Snowflake
L. aestivum Summer Snowflake or Loddon Lily
L. vernum Spring Snowflake
   
   

  Number of Flowers
per Stem		 Flowering
Time
L. aestivum 2-8 Mid Spring
L. autumnale 1-3 Late Summer
L. vernium 1-2 Early Spring

* Guides and Keys are from the book "Herbaceous Perennial Plants A Treatise on their Identification, Culture and Garden Attributes" by Dr Allan M. Armitage of the University of Georgia. Varsity Press, Athens, Georgia. 1989 ISBN 0-942375-00. More on Dr Armitage and his other books.

Leucojum and Galanthus species are often confused. Here is a comparison of the two genera's distinguishing characteristics:
  Leucojum Galanthus
Flower stalk hollow solid
Number of leaves numerous 2-3
Number of flowers 2-5 1
Flower segments 2 equal groups 2 unequal groups

 
 
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