Boissier’s glory-of-the-snow (Scilla luciliae, Oesterr. Bot. Z. 119: 14 (1971))

Family: Asparagaceae

Author: (Boiss.) Speta

Bibliography: Oesterr. Bot. Z. 119: 14 (1971)

Year: 1971

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Scilla

Vegetable: False

Observations: W. Türkiye

Description

Boissier’s glory-of-the-snow, known scientifically as Scilla luciliae, is a captivating perennial that belongs to the Asparagaceae family. This exquisite flowering plant is characterized by its delicate and often vividly-hued blossoms that typically herald the arrival of spring.

Native to the western regions of Turkey, Boissier’s glory-of-the-snow thrives in mountainous terrains, where it enjoys the well-drained, gritty soils of its natural habitat. The beautiful blooms of this plant are often one of the first to emerge as the snow begins to melt, hence the charming name “glory-of-the-snow.” These flowers are known for their star-shaped, upward-facing petals, which can range in color from pale blues to deeper purples, creating a striking contrast against the remnants of winter’s frost.

Scilla luciliae’s foliage consists of slender, elongated green leaves that form a tidy clump at the base, making it an appealing addition to rock gardens, borders, and woodland settings. This hardy plant is not only admired for its aesthetic appeal but also its resilience, as it can endure cold winters and less-than-ideal soil conditions.

First described in the Österreichische Botanische Zeitschrift in 1971 by Speta, Boissier’s glory-of-the-snow encapsulates the beauty and tenacity of early spring flora. Gardeners and plant enthusiasts cherish this species for its ability to bring a burst of color to the landscape just as the seasons begin to change, symbolizing renewal and the enduring spirit of nature.

Common Names

Deu: luzilien-schneestolz, l.-blaustern
Eng: scilla, boissier’s glory-of-the-snow, lucile’s squill, lucile’s glory-of-the-snow
Dan: stor snepryd
Nld: middelste sneeuwroem
Fra: scille gloire-des-neiges, gloire des neiges
Swe: stor vårstjärna
Nob: storsnøstjerne, stor snøstjerne
Nno: storsnøstjerne, stor snøstjerne
Cym: glas-yr-eira boissier
En: Boissier’s Glory-of-the-Snow, Glory-of-the-snow, Scilla, Lucile’s squill, Lucile’s glory-of-the-snow
Zh: 雪宝花
Cs: Ladoňka velkokvětá, Okruh ladoňky velkokvěté
Da: Stor snepryd
Nl: Middelste sneeuwroem
Fi: Isokevättähti
Fr: Scille gloire-des-neiges, Gloire des neiges
De: Luzile-Blaustern, Luzilien-Schneestolz, L.-Blaustern, Gewöhnliche Sternhyazinthe, Schneestolz
Hu: Fehérszemű hófény
Ml: ചിയോനോഡോക്സ ലൂസിലിയ
Nb: Storsnøstjerne, Stor snøstjerne
Nn: Storsnøstjerne, Stor snøstjerne
Pl: Śnieżnik lśniący
Sv: Stor vårstjärna
Zh-tw: 雪寳花
Cy: Glas-yr-Eira Boissier

Synonyms

• Chionodoxa gigantea (Whittall)
• Chionodoxa grandiflora (Wore ex Wilks & Weather)
• Chionodoxa luciliae var. alba (M.C.Sedgw. & R.Cameron)
• Chionodoxa luciliae var. gigantea (M.C.Sedgw. & R.Cameron)
• Chionodoxa luciliae (Boiss.)

Distribution

• Turkey (native)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Mar 19, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 12, 2020 by Jan Drozd (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 25, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 25, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 12, 2018 by Yan-hui Zhou (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Mar 22, 2015 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 22, 2015 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 23, 2022 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 25, 2022 by Manuela Fleck (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 25, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Mar 31, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 29, 2022 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 29, 2022 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 24, 2020 by Kater Billa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 19, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Mar 26, 2021 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 27, 2021 by Annemiek Galesloot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 14, 2020 by Ivan Iliev (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2013 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2013 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Mar 8, 2020 by Wilco Verhoog (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 12, 2021 by McScarlet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 2, 2021 by Dolly Eyes (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Mar 28, 2021 by Eudeline MANGEOLLE (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2767271)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:540894-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Scilla luciliae (Boiss.) Speta)

Specifications

Growth