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 Summer Snowflake (Leucojum aestivum)
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Spring Snowflake (Leucojum vernum) and Summer Snowflake (Leucojum aestivum) are bulbous plants belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family. A bulb is an underground vertical Shoot that has modified leaves (or thickened leaf bases that are used as Food Storage organs by Amaryllidaceae is the Botanical name of a family of Flowering plants. They are the only species currently classified in the genus Leucojum. In Biology, a species is one of the basic units of Biological classification and a Taxonomic rank. A genus (plural genera from Γένος Latin genus "descent family type gender" is a low-level Taxonomic
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Description
The snowflakes are native to southern Europe, from the Pyrenées to Romania and western Russia, but they have been introduced and have naturalized in many other areas, including the east coast of North America. The Pyrenees (Pirineos French: Pyrénées; Catalan: Pirineus; Occitan: Pirenèus; Aragonese: Perinés Romania ( dated: Rumania, Roumania Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending They have narrow, strap-like, dark green leaves. The flowers are small and bell-shaped, white with a green (or occasionally yellow) spot at the end of each petal. A flower, also known as a bloom or Blossom, is the reproductive structure found in Flowering plants (plants of the division Magnoliophyta, also They have a slight fragrance.
The Spring Snowflake normally grows 15-20 cm tall (6-8 in), though it may reach up to 35 cm (14 in). It flowers from March to May (as soon as the snow melts in its wild habitat). A habitat (which is Latin for "it inhabits" is an Ecological or environmental area that is inhabited by a particular Species. Two varieties of Leucojum vernum are known: L. In Botanical nomenclature or biological nomenclature variety is a low-level Taxonomic rank below that of species and signifies members of different populations can vernum var. carpathicum originates from the eastern part of its natural range and is a larger plant with yellowish spots on its petals rather than green; L. vernum var. vagneri from Hungary is a robust plant, often with two flowers per stem.
The Summer Snowflake has a wider natural range, taking in Europe, southwest Asia and northern Iran, and growing in wetter habitats including damp woodland, riversides and swamps. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. Despite its common name it also flowers from March to May, though slightly later than the Spring Snowflake. It is a taller plant than Leucojum vernum, growing to around 60 cm (2 ft), but its flowers are smaller and are carried in an umbel of between three and seven. An umbel is an Inflorescence which consists of a number of short Flower stalks (called pedicels) which are equal in length and spread from a common Its fleshy seed pods are inflated, allowing them to be dispersed by flood water.
Cultivar
Leucojum aestivum 'Gravetye Giant' is a selected cultivar with larger flowers. A cultivar is a cultivated Plant that has been selected and given a unique name because of its decorative or useful characteristics it is usually distinct from similar It is named after Gravetye Manor, an Elizabethan manor house in West Sussex, England, the home of the influential garden writer William Robinson from 1884 until his death in 1935. Romance and reality The Victorian era and the early twentieth century idealised the Elizabethan era This article is about the medieval system "Manors" redirects here Settlements Most settlements in West Sussex are either along the south coast or are situated in the M23 corridor William Robinson (5 July 1838 &ndash 17 May 1935 was an Irish practical Gardener and Journalist whose ideas about wild gardening spurred the movement The house is now a hotel.
Acis
Several former members of the genus, characterised by their narrow leaves, solid stems and unmarked flowers, have recently (July 2004) been reclassified as genus Acis. Most are autumn-flowering and prefer drier soils than Leucojum species. Leucojum autumnale, Leucojum nicaeense, Leucojum roseum, etc. should now be referred to as Acis autumnalis, Acis nicaeensis, Acis rosea, etc.
Former species of Leucojum (now reclassified as Acis)
- Acis autumnalis
- var. autumnalis
- var. oporantha
- var. pulchella
- Acis fabrei
- Acis longifolia
- Acis nicaeensis
- Acis rosea
- Acis tingitana
- Acis trichophylla
- var. trichophylla
- var. broteroi
- var. micrantha
- Acis valentina
See also
References
- Dolores Lledo, Aaron Davis, Manuel Crespo, Mark Chase and Michael Fay. These Flowers come into Bloom in early spring: Anemone ranunculoides Bloodroot Dewberry These flowers come into Bloom in late spring: Anemone ranunculoides Bloodroot Common Bluebell "Phylogenetic analysis of Leucojum and Galanthus (Amaryllidaceae) based on plastid matK and nuclear ribosomal spacer (ITS) DNA sequences and morphology". Plant Systematics and Evolution (July 2004).
External links
- Leucojum page from John Crellin's 'Floral Images' site with many pictures and links
- Pacific Bulb Society's Leucojum wiki page
- Pacific Bulb Society's Acis wiki page
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