Summer snowflake
Leucojum aestivum

Family: Amaryllidaceae

What it is like

A bulb plant. It grows 45-60 cm high and 10-15 cm wide. The leaves are strap shaped and 5-20 mm wide. They grow in clumps. The leaves are bright deep green. The flower stem is green. The flower stem is sturdy and leafless and carries several white bells. They have green markings just above the tips of the segments. These bell shaped nodding flowers are 18 mm wide.

There are about 10-20 Leucojum species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is frost hardy. It can grow in full sun or light shade. The soil needs to be moist but well drained. Soils should be rich in organic matter. It suits hardiness zones 6-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Albania, Asia, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Belgium, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Czech, Europe, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Mediterranean, Netherlands, Romania, Russia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The bulbs are cooked and eaten. They are also used to extract starch/flour.

Edible parts

Root, bulb

How it is grown

Plants are grown from bulbs spaced 15 cm apart. Plants can be divided or the small bulblets used.

Its other names

Local names

Poletni veliki zvonček

Synonyms

Leucojum aestivale;