# 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! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 12 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Summer snowflake](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Leucojum_aestivum02.jpg&width=800) Photo: fir0002 flagstaffotos \[at\] gmail.com Canon 20D + Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8, GFDL 1.2 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Leucojum_aestivum02.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Liliopsida - **Order:** Asparagales - **Family:** Amaryllidaceae - **Genus:** Leucojum ## 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 - **Winter Survivalist:** Summer snowflake can store energy in its bulb to survive harsh winters and re-emerge in spring. - **Chemical Defender:** Summer snowflake has toxic compounds that help protect its leaves and bulbs from hungry animals. - **Pollinator Beacon:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/bell-shaped-flower): Bell-shaped flowers possess petals fused or arranged to form a cup-like or campanulate structure resembling a bell. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Cluster Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cluster-flower): Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/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. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Do not touch or eat flowers without asking an adult first. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Summer snowflake? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Summer snowflake? 30-60 cm ### How wide does Summer snowflake spread? 15-30 cm ### How big are the flowers on Summer snowflake? 1-2 cm ### When does Summer snowflake bloom? Late spring to early summer ### Is Summer snowflake edible? No ### Is Summer snowflake toxic? Moderate ### What is Summer snowflake's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Broadway Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/broadway-avenue-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Brookfield Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brookfield-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Brooklyn Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brooklyn-botanic-garden) — New York, US · Botanical Garden - [Central Shelby Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/central-shelby-historic-district) — North Carolina, US · Historic District - [Coker Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/coker-arboretum) — North Carolina, US · Zoo - [Greektown](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/greektown) — Michigan, US · Neighborhood [View all places to see Summer snowflake](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/summer-snowflake) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Summer snowflake: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/summer-snowflake)