Spring snowflake (Leucojum vernum, Sp. Pl.: 289 (1753))

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 289 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Leucojum

Vegetable: False

Observations: Belgium to Ukraine

Description

The Spring snowflake, known scientifically as Leucojum vernum, is a captivating flowering plant that adds a touch of elegance to early spring gardens. First formally described by Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, the Spring snowflake is a member of the Amaryllidaceae family, which boasts many charming bulbous plants.

Native to a diverse geographical range extending from Belgium to Ukraine, the Spring snowflake thrives in the temperate regions of Europe. It is often found in moist, woodland environments where it benefits from the gentle sunlight filtering through the canopy of trees.

The plant is noted for its delicate and beautiful flowers, which appear early in the spring, often while the last snows of winter still linger—hence its poetic common name. Each bloom features nodding, bell-shaped flowers that are typically white and occasionally display a hint of green or yellow at the tips of their petals. These flowers emanate a subtle, pleasing fragrance that attracts early pollinators, such as bees, to the garden.

In addition to its aesthetic appeal, Leucojum vernum serves as a symbol of the impending arrival of warmer days, making it a cherished sight for gardeners and nature enthusiasts alike. Its leaves are lance-shaped and dark green, forming a beautiful clump that complements the purity of its blooms.

Cultivating Spring snowflake is relatively straightforward, provided it is planted in well-drained soil rich in organic matter. It prefers partial shade but can tolerate full sunlight if the soil remains consistently moist. Once established, it requires minimal maintenance and often naturalizes, creating stunning drifts of flowers that spread gently over the years.

The Spring snowflake is not only cherished for its beauty but also respected for its longevity and resilience in the garden. As one of the heralds of spring, it brings hope and joy to horticulturists and onlookers, marking the end of winter’s cold grip and the beginning of a season of renewal.

Common Names

Dan: dorthealilje, kruset tidsel, nikkende tidsel, tornet tidsel, vår-hvidblomme
Deu: frühlings-knotenblume, märzenbecher, frühlings-knotenblume, grosses schneeglöckchen, märzenglöckchen
Nor: krusetistel, nikketistel, olymptistel, piggtistel
Swe: krustistel, nicktistel, olymptistel, piggtistel, kevätlumipisara, snöklocka, klosterlilja, vanlig snöklocka
Fin: kyläkarhiainen, nuokkukarhiainen, piikkikarhiainen, kevätlumipisara
Nld: lenteklokje
Eng: spring snowflake
Est: kevadine märtsikelluke
Nob: klosterklokke
Nno: klosterklokke
Fra: nivéole printanière, nivéole du printemps
Ita: campanelle comuni
Cym: eiriaidd y owanwyn, eirïaidd y gwanwyn
En: Spring snowflake
Af: Sneeuvlokkie
Az: Yaz ağçiçəyi
Eu: Udaberri-txilintxa
Bg: Пролетно блатно кокиче
Zh: 雪片莲
Hr: Proljetni drijemovac
Cs: Bledule jarní
Da: Dorotealilje, Dorthealilje, Kruset Tidsel, Nikkende Tidsel, Tornet Tidsel, Vår-hvidblomme
Nl: Lenteklokje
Eo: Printempa leŭkojo
Et: Kevadine märtsikelluke
Fi: Kevätkello, Kevätlumipisara, Kyläkarhiainen, Nuokkukarhiainen, Piikkikarhiainen
Fr: Nivéole du Printemps, Nivéole printanière, Nivéole de printemps, Grelot blanc, Jeannette de printemps, Perce-neige
De: Großes Schneeglöckchen, Märzbecher, Märzenglöckchen, Frühlings-Knotenblume, Frühlings-Knotenblume, Märzenbecher, Grosses Schneeglöckchen, Frühlingsknotenblume, Märzenbecher, Märzglöckchen
Hu: Tavaszi tőzike
It: Campanelle comuni, Campanellino di primavera
No: Krusetistel, Nikketistel, Olymptistel, Piggtistel
Nb: Klosterklokke
Nn: Klosterklokke
Fa: دانه‌برفی بهاری
Pl: Śnieżyca wiosenna
Ro: Lușcă
Ru: Белоцветник весенний
Sk: Bleduľa jarná
Es: Pomladanski veliki zvonček
Sv: Snöklocka, Krustistel, Nicktistel, Olymptistel, Piggtistel, Kevätlumipisara, Klosterlilja, Vanlig snöklocka
Zh-tw: 雪片蓮
Uk: Білоцвіт весняний
Cy: Eirïaidd y gwanwyn, Eiriaidd y Owanwyn
Fy: Maarteblomke

Synonyms

• Erinosma verna ((L.) Herb.)
• Nivaria verna ((L.) Moench)
• Galanthus vernus ((L.) All.)

Distribution

• Austria (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Italy (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• Sweden (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.

Habit

Taken Mar 14, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 24, 2021 by Gaby R (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 6, 2022 by Syl Fred (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 6, 2022 by Stéphanie Renard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 15, 2020 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Nov 15, 2017 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 14, 2017 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 11, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 25, 2017 by ZŠ Kbely (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 16, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jan 29, 2021 by Tobias Eberle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 6, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 3, 2020 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 5, 2021 by Dr. Robert Fischer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 16, 2022 by Jani Zadrgal (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Mar 16, 2019 by vividou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 4, 2020 by Jiří Vilím (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 10, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 17, 2020 by Pietro Brignoli (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Feb 21, 2021 by Grixenda (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Mar 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 3, 2018 by Heidi Thaler (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 4, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 7, 2013 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 20, 2021 by Giacomo Tettamanti (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 15, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Alexis CAULIER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 5, 2020 by astrid thomas (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:65769-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2860409)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Leucojum vernum L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 5

Atmospheric humidity: 6

Bloom months: [‘feb’, ‘mar’, ‘apr’]

Soil nutriments: 7