174 WILD FLOWERS OF THE BRITISH ISLES 
base entirely united with the seedcase, the outer row of lobes oblong, entire, much longer and 
more spreading than the inner row, which are notched, erect, and sheathed with green at the 
tip ; stamens 6, the pointed anthers opening at the tip by 2 pores, inserted on the seedcase 
(epigynous) ; carpels 3, united into a 3-celled seedcase, 1 style, and x stigma ; fruit a capsule, 
opening down the middle of the cells by 3 valves (loculicidal). The root is bulbous and bears 
one flower and two narrow strap-shaped (linear), bluish-green leaves. [ Plate 56. 
Rare. In woods and thickets ; naturalised in many parts, and possibly native in some places in 
the west of England; not naturalised in Scotland and Ireland. January — March. Perennial. 
III. SNOWFLAKE. (LEUCOJUM. Linn.) — A genus only differing from the Snowdrop 
(Galanthus) in the flowers being usually several together in a cluster (umbel), in all 6 perianth-lobes 
being nearly equal, and in the anthers opening by slits, not pores. 
Flowers large, drooping, white, or tinged with pink, often with a green stain on the tip of the 
perianth-lobes, solitary or several together on short stalks enclosed in a membranous sheath, in a 
cluster all starting from the same point (umbel), terminating a stem from the root (scape). 
Perianth of 6 nearly equal lobes with greenish tips, united at the base into a short green tube 
entirely adhering to the seedcase (superior) ; stamens 6, the anthers opening lengthways by 
slits, inserted on the ovary (epigynous) ; carpels 3, united into a seedcase, 1 style, and 1 stigma ; 
fruit a capsule, opening down the middle of the cells (loculicidally) by 3 valves. Herbs with 
bulbous roots and long narrow strap-shaped (linear) leaves with parallel veins. 
(1) Summer Snowflake. (Leucojum sestfvum.) — Flowers 2-6 together, in an entire sheath. 
(2) Spring Snowflake. (Leucojum ver'num.) — Flowers 1-2 together, in a sheath 2-lobed at 
the tip. 
1. Summer Snowflake. (Leucbjum aestivum. Linn.)— As just described. The 
flowers are large and white in clusters (umbels) of 2-6 together, in an entire sheath, terminating a 
hollow 2-edged stalk, 9-18 inches high, with large blunt strap-shaped (linear) leaves about the 
same height. 
Very rare. Wet meadows ; in the south and east of England. May. Perennial. 
2. Spring* Snowflake. (Leucojum ver'num. Linn.)— A very similar species with 1 or 
only 2 flowers together in a sheath (spathe) which is 2-lobed at the tip, the whole plant being only 
8-10 inches high. [ Plate 56. 
Very rare. On banks by hedges ; near Bridport and Bicester. February — April. Perennial. 
