Loddon-lily (Leucojum aestivum, Syst. nat. ed. 10, 2:975. 1759)

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Syst. nat. ed. 10, 2:975. 1759

Year: 1759

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Leucojum

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to N. Iran

Description

Loddon-lily, scientifically known as Leucojum aestivum, is a perennial plant that belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family. This graceful and elegant plant has captured the admiration of botanists and gardeners alike since it was first described in the 10th edition of “Systema Naturae” by Carl Linnaeus in 1759.

Native to a broad geographic range, the Loddon-lily thrives from Europe extending through to northern Iran. Its adaptability across such diverse climates underscores its hardiness and universal appeal in both natural and cultivated landscapes.

The Loddon-lily produces charming clusters of nodding, bell-shaped white flowers, each petal adorned with a distinctive green tip. These blooms typically emerge in the late spring, bringing a touch of delicate beauty to gardens and wildflower habitats. The foliage of the Loddon-lily is equally striking, featuring lance-shaped, strap-like leaves that form a lush green backdrop for the pristine flowers.

Often found in damp meadows, riverbanks, and marshy areas, Leucojum aestivum has a preference for moist, well-drained soils and partial shade. However, it can also adapt to drier conditions, making it a versatile addition to various garden settings. The plant’s natural affinity for waterlogged soils makes it an excellent candidate for planting near ponds or in rain gardens.

In addition to its aesthetic value, the Loddon-lily plays a role in supporting local ecosystems. Its flowers attract bees and other pollinators, contributing to the health and biodiversity of its environment.

Despite its delicate appearance, the Loddon-lily is surprisingly resilient and can naturalize over time, slowly spreading to form a dense and vibrant ground cover. This quality, combined with its minimal maintenance needs, makes it a favored choice among gardeners looking to add a touch of perennial elegance to their green spaces.

The Loddon-lily, with its timeless charm and ecological benefits, continues to be a cherished plant species among enthusiasts and professionals in the botanical world. Its enduring legacy, from its initial classification by Linnaeus to its widespread cultivation today, speaks to the lasting beauty and importance of this delightful plant.

Common Names

Deu: sommer-knotenblume
Dan: sommer-hvidblomme
Eng: summer snowflake, loddon-lily, loddon lily, giant snowflake
Fra: nivéole dété, nivéole d’été, nivéole elégante, nivéole d’eté
Swe: sommarsnöklocka
Nld: zomerklokje
Nob: jonsokklosterklokke
Nno: jonsokklosterklokke
Ita: campanelle maggiori
Cym: eiryaid, eiryaidd, eirïaidd yr haf
En: Loddon-lily, Summer snowflake, Loddon lily, Giant snowflake
Az: Yay ağçiçəyi
Be: Белакветнік летні
Bg: Лятно блатно кокиче, Обикновено блатно кокиче
Ca: Assa
Zh: 夏雪片莲
Hr: Ljetni drijemovac
Cs: Bledule letní
Da: Sommerhvidblomme, Sommer-hvidblomme
Nl: Zomerklokje
Fi: Kesälumipisara, Suvikello
Fr: Niveole d’ete, Nivéole Elégante, Nivéole d’Eté, Nivéole d’été, Nivéole d’été, Nivéole dété
Ka: Ზაფხულის ცხენისკბილა
De: Sommer-Knotenblume, Sommertürchen, Spätblühende Knotenblume
Hu: Nyári tőzike
It: Campanelle maggiori, Campanellino estivo
Nb: Jonsokklosterklokke
Nn: Jonsokklosterklokke
Fa: لکوجوم آئستیوم
Pl: Śnieżyca letnia
Ru: Белоцветник летний
Sr: Докољен, Дремовац, Дријемовац
Sk: Bleduľa letná
Es: Campanilla de otoño, Campanilla de primavera, Campanillas de verano, Leucoio de verano, Campanillas de primavera
Sv: Sommarsnöklocka
Tr: Göl soğanı
Uk: Бiлоцвiт лiтнiй
Cy: Eirïaidd yr haf, Eiryaid, Eiryaidd

Synonyms

• Nivaria aestivalis (Moench)
• Nivaria monadelphia (Medik.)
• Leucojum pulchellum (Salisb.)
• Polyanthemum aestivale ((Moench) Bubani)
• Leucojum aestivum subsp. pulchellum ((Salisb.) Briq.)
• Leucojum aestivum var. pulchellum ((Salisb.) Fiori)
• Leucojum hernandezii (Cambess.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Krym (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Apr 3, 2020 by Willem Blondé (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2018 by mdiest (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2022 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2022 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2022 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 21, 2022 by steven Levenberg (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2019 by Cleo Borzykowski (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 20, 2022 by Vincent Slotman (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 22, 2022 by Red Schonewille (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2022 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 3, 2020 by Boxelaar Nanneke (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2021 by Frozy

Taken Mar 13, 2021 by Denis Bastianelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2022 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2002 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Feb 22, 2022 by Beate Liebold (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 19, 2022 by González Rafael (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Liliane PESSOTTO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 7, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Louis Ton (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2021 by Federica Veschi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2021 by Frozy

© 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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2860425)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:65743-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Leucojum aestivum L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Soil nutriments: 5

Soil salinity: 1