Leucojum vernum

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Leucojum vernum
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Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily: Amaryllidoideae
Genus: Leucojum
Species:
L. vernum
Binomial name
Leucojum vernum
Synonyms [1]
  • Galanthus vernus(L.) All.
  • Nivaria verna(L.) Moench
  • Erinosma verna(L.) Herb.

Leucojum vernum, commonly called the spring snowflake, [2] [3] St. Agnes' flower (for the patron saint of virgins), [4] and rarely snowbell [5] among others, [a] is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae. [1] It is native to central and southern Europe from Belgium to Ukraine. It is considered naturalized in north-western Europe, including Great Britain and parts of Scandinavia, and in the US states of Georgia and Florida. This spring flowering bulbous herbaceous perennial is cultivated as an ornamental for a sunny position. [7] The plant multiplies in favourable conditions to form clumps. Each plant bears a single white flower with greenish marks near the tip of the tepal, on a stem about 10–20 cm (3.9–7.9 in) tall, occasionally more.

Contents

The Latin specific epithet vernum means "relating to Spring"; [8] its close relative, Leucojum aestivum , flowers in summer.

Description

Leucojum vernum is 12–35 cm (4.7–13.8 in) tall in flower. Its leaves, which appear at the same time as the flowers and continue to elongate during flowering, are 5–25 mm wide and 10–25 cm (3.9–9.8 in) long, generally reaching to below the level of the flowers. The flowering stem (scape) has a small central cavity and two narrow wings. The pendent flowers appear in spring and are usually solitary, rarely in an umbel of two. The flowers have six white tepals, each with a greenish or yellowish mark just below the tip. Each tepal is 15–25 mm long. The whitish seeds are about 7 mm long. [2] [9] [10]

Taxonomy

Leucojum vernum was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. [1] [11] The epithet vernum means "of the spring". [12]

Varieties

Two varieties are accepted by the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families: [13]

A third variety is recognized by some sources, but not by the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families: [14]

Leucojum vernum var. carpathicum is distinguished by the presence of yellow rather than greenish markings at the tip of each tepal. [2] Sources that distinguish var. vagneri from var. vernum describe it as more vigorous and flowering earlier, with two flowers per scape. It comes true from seed as it does not cross with var. vernum. [2] [15]

Distribution and habitat

Leucojum vernum is native to central Europe and parts of southern and western Europe, including Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Switzerland, France, Italy, Romania, former Yugoslavia and Ukraine. It has become naturalized in other parts of Europe, including Great Britain, the Netherlands and parts of Scandinavia, and in Georgia and Florida in the United States. [1] [2] It is found in damp and shady habitats, including woods, up to elevations of 1600 m. [2]

Cultivation

Leucojum vernum is cultivated as an ornamental plant for its white flowers in spring. It is described as "easy to grow", either in sun or partial shade, particularly in moist soil and in grass. [9] The species has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. [7]

Cultivars

Many cultivars are available, including: [15]

Toxicity

All species of Leucojum are poisonous, as the leaves and bulbs contain the toxic alkaloids lycorine and galantamine. [16] Galantamine is used for the treatment of cognitive decline in mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease and various other memory impairments. [17] [18]

Notes

  1. ↑ Other older vernacular names include common snowdrop, great spring snowdrop, common bulbous violet and butter and eggs (in Dorset). [6]

Related Research Articles

<i>Galanthus</i> Genus of flowering plants in the family Amaryllidacee

Galanthus, or snowdrop, is a small genus of approximately 20 species of bulbous perennial herbaceous plants in the family Amaryllidaceae. The plants have two linear leaves and a single small white drooping bell-shaped flower with six petal-like (petaloid) tepals in two circles (whorls). The smaller inner petals have green markings.

<i>Leucojum</i> Genus of flowering plants in the family Amaryllidaceae

Leucojum is a small genus of bulbous plants native to Eurasia belonging to the amaryllis family, subfamily Amaryllidoideae. As currently circumscribed, the genus includes only two known species, most former species having been moved into the genus Acis. Both genera are known as snowflakes.

<i>Scilla siberica</i> Species of flowering plant

Scilla siberica, the Siberian squill or wood squill, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to southwestern Russia, the Caucasus, and Turkey. Despite its name, it is not native to Siberia.

<i>Galanthus nivalis</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae known as snowdrop

Galanthus nivalis, the snowdrop or common snowdrop, is the best-known and most widespread of the 20 species in its genus, Galanthus. Snowdrops are among the first bulbs to bloom in spring and can form impressive carpets of white in areas where they are native or have been naturalised. They should not be confused with the snowflakes, in the genera Leucojum and Acis.

<i>Scilla luciliae</i> Species of plant in the family Asparagaceae

Scilla luciliae is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae. It is referred to by the common names Bossier's glory-of-the-snow or Lucile's glory-of-the-snow, and is a bulbous perennial from western Turkey that flowers in early spring. After flowering, it goes into dormancy until the next spring. The specific epithet is in honour of Lucile, the wife of the Swiss botanist Pierre Edmond Boissier (1810-1885). It belongs to a group of Scilla species that were formerly put in a separate genus, Chionodoxa, and may now be treated as Scilla sect. Chionodoxa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ornamental bulbous plant</span> Herbaceous perennials with underground storage parts grown for ornamental purposes

Ornamental bulbous plants, often called ornamental bulbs or just bulbs in gardening and horticulture, are herbaceous perennials grown for ornamental purposes, which have underground or near ground storage organs. Botanists distinguish between true bulbs, corms, rhizomes, stem tubers and tuberous roots, any of which may be termed "bulbs" in horticulture. Bulb species usually lose their upper parts during adverse conditions such as summer drought and heat or winter cold. The bulb's storage organs contain moisture and nutrients that are used to survive these adverse conditions in a dormant state. When conditions become favourable the reserves sustain a new growth cycle. In addition, bulbs permit vegetative or asexual multiplication in these species. Ornamental bulbs are used in parks and gardens and as cut flowers.

<i>Scilla nana</i> Species of flowering plant

Scilla nana, known as dwarf glory-of-the-snow, is a bulbous perennial flowering plant endemic to Crete. It flowers in early spring with flowers in shades of lilac blue. After flowering, it goes into dormancy until the next spring. It belongs to a group of Scilla species that were formerly put in a separate genus, Chionodoxa, and may now be treated as Scilla sect. Chionodoxa. It has not always been recognized as distinct from Scilla cretica.

<i>Sternbergia clusiana</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae

Sternbergia clusiana is a bulbous flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae, subfamily Amaryllidoideae, which is sometimes used as an ornamental plant. It has greenish-yellow flowers which appear in autumn.

<i>Zephyranthes tubispatha</i> Species of flowering plant

Zephyranthes tubispatha, synonym Habranthus tubispathus, the Rio Grande copperlily or Barbados snowdrop, is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae. It is a perennial bulb native to southern South America. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental and reportedly naturalized in the southeastern United States, much of the West Indies as well as Bermuda, eastern Mexico, India, Easter Island, and central Chile.

<i>Leucojum aestivum</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae

Leucojum aestivum, commonly called the summer snowflake, giant snowflake, Loddon lily and rarely snowbell and dewdrop among others, is a plant species widely cultivated as an ornamental. It is native to most of Europe from Spain and Ireland to Ukraine, with the exception of Scandinavia, Russia, Belarus and the Baltic countries. It is also considered native to Turkey, Iran and the Caucasus. It is naturalized in Denmark, South Australia, New South Wales, Nova Scotia and much of the eastern United States.

<i>Acis autumnalis</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae

Acis autumnalis, the autumn snowflake, is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae. A short bulbous perennial, it is found on the western shores of the Mediterranean, from Portugal, Spain and Morocco to Sicily and Tunisia.

<i>Acis ionica</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae

Acis ionica is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae, native from south-western Albania to western Greece. It was initially confused with what is now Acis valentina, a species found in Spain near Valencia.

<i>Acis longifolia</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae

Acis longifolia is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae, endemic to Corsica. Its white flowers appear in spring. It is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental plant, but is not fully frost-hardy.

<i>Acis nicaeensis</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae

Acis nicaeensis, commonly called the winter snowflake, Mentone snowflake and French snowflake, is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae, native to south-eastern France. A small spring flowering bulb with white flowers, it is cultivated as an ornamental plant.

<i>Acis tingitana</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae

Acis tingitana is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae, native to northern Morocco. Rare in cultivation, it is not fully frost-hardy.

<i>Acis trichophylla</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae

Acis trichophylla, commonly called the triangular-leaved snowflake, is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae, native to Portugal, Spain and Morocco. It has very narrow leaves. The flowers are produced in late winter or early spring and are usually white, but sometimes pink-tinged or all pink. The species is cultivated as an ornamental bulb, but requires protection from hard frost.

<i>Acis valentina</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae

Acis valentina is a species of bulbous flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae, native to eastern Spain. Its white flowers appear in autumn. It can be grown as an ornamental bulb, but may need protection from hard frost.

<i>Acis rosea</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae

Acis rosea, known as the rose snowflake, is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae, native to Corsica and Sardinia. Unlike most members of the genus Acis, it has pink rather than white flowers. It is grown as an ornamental plant but requires protection from frost.

<i>Galanthus reginae-olgae</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae

Galanthus reginae-olgae, Queen Olga's snowdrop, is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae, native to Sicily and the west and north-west Balkans. Some variants produce their pendant white flowers in autumn, others in winter and early spring. It is cultivated as ornamental bulbous plant, preferring warmer situations in the garden than other species of Galanthus (snowdrops).

<i>Galanthus plicatus</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae

Galanthus plicatus, the pleated snowdrop, is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae, native to eastern Europe and western Asia. It is a spring flowering bulbous herbaceous perennial.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Leucojum vernum". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 2017-12-20.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Grey-Wilson, Christopher; Mathew, Brian & Blamey, Marjorie (1981). Bulbs : the bulbous plants of Europe and their allies. London: Collins. p. 136. ISBN   978-0-00-219211-8.
  3. ↑ A. R. Clapham, et al. Flora of the British Isles. 3rd ed. Cambridge University Press, 1987. p. 551. ISBN   9780521389747
  4. ↑ Elizabeth Lawrence. The Little Bulbs: A Tale of Two Gardens. Duke University Press, 1986. [1st pub. Criterion, 1954] p. 35. ISBN   9780822307396
  5. ↑ Stephen van Derberg. "A Succesion of Popular Flowering Bulbs." The Magazine Flowers.Volume 1, Issue 3. Suburban Press, January 1912. p. 41.
  6. ↑ H. L. Gerth van Wijk. A Dictionary of Plant Names. Volume 1. Martinus Nijhoff, 1911. p. 751.
  7. 1 2 "RHS Plant Selector - Leucojum vernum" . Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  8. ↑ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for Gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. ISBN   978-1845337315.
  9. 1 2 Mathew, Brian (1987). The Smaller Bulbs. London: B.T. Batsford. p. 121. ISBN   978-0-7134-4922-8.
  10. ↑ Webb, D.A. (1980). "Leucojum vernum". In Tutin, T.G.; Heywood, V.H.; Burges, N.A.; Valentine, D.H.; Walters, S.M. & Webb, D.A. (eds.). Flora Europaea, Volume 5: Alismataceae to Orchidaceae. Cambridge University Press. p. 77. ISBN   978-0-521-06662-4.
  11. ↑ Linnaeus, Carl (1753). "Leucojum". Species Plantarum. Vol. I. p. 289. Retrieved 2017-12-20.
  12. ↑ Hyam, R. & Pankhurst, R.J. (1995). Plants and their names : a concise dictionary. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 518. ISBN   978-0-19-866189-4.
  13. ↑ "Search for Leucojum vernum". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 2017-12-20.
  14. ↑ "''Leucojum vernum var. vagneri Stapf". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 2021-02-05.
  15. 1 2 Boens, Wim (March 2017). "An overview of Leucojum". The Plantsman. New Series. 16 (1): 20–25.
  16. ↑ Straley, Gerald B. & Utech, Frederick H. "Leucojum aestivum". In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (ed.). Flora of North America (online). eFloras.org. Retrieved 2017-12-17.
  17. ↑ "Galantamine". Drugs.com. 2017. Retrieved 2017-12-18.
  18. ↑ Birks, J. (2006). Birks, Jacqueline S (ed.). "Cholinesterase inhibitors for Alzheimer's disease". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2016 (1): CD005593. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005593. PMC   9006343 . PMID   16437532.
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