Summer snowflake

Leucojum aestivum

The Summer Snowflake is a beautiful flower that blooms in spring. It has white, bell-shaped flowers that look like little snowflakes, making gardens bright and cheerful!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Summer snowflake has delicate, bell-shaped white flowers, each petal tipped with a distinct green spot. Its long, strap-like, glossy green leaves emerge from the base, forming a graceful clump.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderAsparagalesFamilyAmaryllidaceaeGenusLeucojum

Summer snowflake

Interesting facts

Despite its name, it often blooms in late spring!

It's a close relative of the common snowdrop flower!

Its elegant flowers look just like tiny dangling bells!

Some people call it 'Loddon Lily' after a river in England!

Special abilities

Summer snowflake can store energy in its bulb to survive harsh winters and re-emerge in spring.

Summer snowflake has toxic compounds that help protect its leaves and bulbs from hungry animals.

Summer snowflake has sweet nectar that attracts insects, helping it spread its pollen.

Measurements & details

Height: 30-60 cm
Spread: 15-30 cm
Flower Size: 1-2 cm
Bloom Season: Late spring to early summer
Edible: No
Toxicity: Moderate
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honeybee

Apis mellifera

Collects nectar and pollen

pollinates

Buff-tailed bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

Visits flowers for nectar

eats

Spanish slug

Arion lusitanicus

May browse young foliage

Traits

Bell-Shaped Flower

Bell-shaped flowers possess petals fused or arranged to form a cup-like or campanulate structure resembling a bell.

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Cluster Flower

Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem.

Spring Blooming

Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.

Fragrant Flower

Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.