Common products:
Leucojum aestivum L. is cultivated primarily as an ornamental garden perennial and as a cut‑flower crop. Bulbs are propagated for commercial horticulture and sold for spring bedding schemes, naturalising in meadow plantings, and for indoor forcing. The pendulous, bell‑shaped white flowers are harvested for floral arrangements where they are valued for their early bloom (March–April in temperate regions). The plant is also used in scientific research as a comparative specimen for the analysis of secondary metabolites typical of the Amaryllidaceae, providing reference material for alkaloid profiling and biosynthetic studies.

Properties relevant to use:
The species is a hardy, bulbous perennial, typically reaching 30–60 cm in height, with semi‑evergreen foliage and a tolerance for partial shade and moist soils. When cut, the flowers exhibit a vase life of 7–10 days under standard floral‑display conditions. Chemically, the plant accumulates characteristic Amaryllidaceae alkaloids (e.g., galanthamine‑type and lycorine‑type compounds) that serve as taxonomic markers and analytical standards in phytochemical investigations. These alkaloids are readily extracted with conventional solvent systems, facilitating quantitative HPLC or GC‑MS analyses without the need for extensive pretreatment.

Sustainability and sourcing:
Commercial production is based almost entirely on cultivated bulbs; wild populations are limited and protected under national conservation legislation in parts of Europe. Propagation by division of mature bulbs is the standard horticultural method, minimizing disturbance to natural habitats and enabling a renewable supply. Cultivation in temperate climates has a low environmental footprint, allowing organic production systems that avoid synthetic pesticides, and the plant’s naturalisation potential remains modest, reducing the risk of invasive spread.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name	Authority	First published in
Leucojum hernandezii	Cambess.	Mém. Mus. Hist. Nat. 14: 315 (1827)
Leucojum pulchellum	Salisb.	Parad. Lond. 2: t. 74 (1807)
Nivaria monadelphia	Medik.	Hist. & Commentat. Acad. Elect. Sci. Theod.-Palat. 6(Phys.): 422 (1790)
Nivaria aestivalis	Moench	Suppl. Meth. : 93 (1802)
Polyanthemum aestivale	Bubani	Fl. Pyren. 4: 155 (1902)

Common names Top

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Filter by language:

Language	Common/alternative name
English	summer snowflake
English	loddon lily
Spanish	campanilla de otoño
Spanish	campanilla de primavera
Spanish	campanillas de verano
Spanish	leucoio de verano
Azerbaijani	yay ağçiçəyi
Belarusian	Белакветнік летні
Bulgarian	обикновено блатно кокиче
Bulgarian	Лятно блатно кокиче
Czech	bledule letní
Welsh	eirïaidd yr haf
German	sommertürchen
German	sommer-knotenblume
Persian	لکوجوم آئستیوم
Finnish	kesälumipisara
Finnish	suvikello
French	niveole d'ete
French	nivéole d'eté
French	nivéole d’été
French	nivéole dété
French	nivéole elégante
French	nivéole d'été
Croatian	ljetni drijemovac
Croatian	pelečica
Upper Sorbian	lěćolinka
Upper Sorbian	pózdnja snězyčka
Hungarian	nyári tőzike
Japanese	大待雪草
Japanese	鈴蘭水仙
Japanese	スズランズイセン
Japanese	スズランスイセン
Japanese	オオマツユキソウ
Japanese	スノーフレーク
Georgian	ზაფხულის ცხენისკბილა
Macedonian	барско кокиче
Dutch	zomerklokje
Norwegian Nynorsk	jonsokklosterklokke
Polish	Śnieżyca letnia
Russian	Белоцветник летний
Slovak	bleduľa letná
Slovenian	poletni veliki zvonček
Serbian	Дремовац
Serbian	Дријемовац
Serbian	Докољен
Swedish	sommarsnöklocka
Turkish	göl soğanı
Ukrainian	Бiлоцвiт лiтнiй
Chinese	夏雪片莲
Chinese	夏雪片蓮

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Name	Authority	First published in
Leucojum aestivum subsp. pulchellum	(Salisb.) Malag.	Subesp. Variación Geogr. 26. 1973

Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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No variety added yet.

Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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No subvariety added yet.

Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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No forms added yet.

Germination/Propagation Top

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Expose seeds to natural outdoor winter conditions for 3 months, then gradually increase light and temperature in the spring.

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:

- Doubtful data

- Extinct

- Introduced

- Native

Asia-temperate click to expand
- Caucasus
  - North Caucasus
  - Transcaucasus
- Western Asia
  - Iran
  - Turkey

Australasia click to expand
- Australia
  - New South Wales
  - South Australia
  - Tasmania
- New Zealand
  - New Zealand North

Europe click to expand
- Eastern Europe
  - Krym
  - Ukraine
- Middle Europe
  - Austria
  - Belgium
  - Czechoslovakia
  - Germany
  - Hungary
  - Netherlands
  - Switzerland
- Northern Europe
  - Denmark
  - Great Britain
  - Ireland
- Southeastern Europe
  - Albania
  - Bulgaria
  - Greece
  - Italy
  - Romania
  - Turkey-in-Europe
  - Yugoslavia
- Southwestern Europe
  - Baleares
  - Corse
  - France
  - Sardegna
  - Spain

Northern America click to expand
- Eastern Canada
  - Nova Scotia
- North-central U.S.A.
  - Illinois
  - Missouri
- Northeastern U.S.A.
  - Connecticut
  - Indiana
  - Maine
  - Massachusetts
  - New York
  - Ohio
  - Pennsylvania
- Northwestern U.S.A.
  - Oregon
- South-central U.S.A.
  - Texas
- Southeastern U.S.A.
  - Alabama
  - Arkansas
  - Delaware
  - Georgia
  - Kentucky
  - Louisiana
  - Maryland
  - Mississippi
  - North Carolina
  - South Carolina
  - Tennessee
  - Virginia
- Southwestern U.S.A.
  - California

Links to other databases Top

Suggest others/fix!

Database	ID/link to page
World Flora Online	wfo-0000683092
UNII	9197VN9Q4B
Florida Plant Atlas	1993
Flora of Alabama	4423
Canadensys	2511
USDA Plants	LEAE
Tropicos	1201268
INPN	105827
Flora of Italy	6985
KEW	urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:65743-1
The Plant List	kew-280491
Missouri Botanical Garden	275800
Open Tree Of Life	779382
Observations.org	2602
NCBI Taxonomy	54835
NBN Atlas	NBNSYS0000002252
Nature Serve	2.149515
IUCN Red List	164488
IPNI	65743-1
iNaturalist	55809
GBIF	2860425
Freebase	/m/0108_09c
EPPO	LEJAE
EOL	1003175
Calflora (Californian flora)	8636
USDA GRIN	21975
Wikipedia	Leucojum_aestivum

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

Scientific Literature Top

Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.

Title

Authors

Publication

Released

IDs

Light-Emitting Diodes and Liquid System Affect the Caffeoylquinic Acid Derivative and Flavonoid Production and Shoot Growth of Rhaponticum carthamoides (Willd.) Iljin

Skała E, Olszewska MA, Tabaka P, Kicel A

Molecules

05-May-2024

PMCID:	PMC11085107
doi:	10.3390/molecules29092145
PMID:	38731636

The Anti-Cholinesterase Potential of Fifteen Different Species of Narcissus L. (Amaryllidaceae) Collected in Spain

Tallini LR, Manfredini G, Rodríguez-Escobar ML, Ríos S, Martínez-Francés V, Feresin GE, Borges WD, Bastida J, Viladomat F, Torras-Claveria L

Life (Basel)

22-Apr-2024

PMCID:	PMC11050805
doi:	10.3390/life14040536
PMID:	38672806

Recording animal-view videos of the natural world using a novel camera system and software package

Vasas V, Lowell MC, Villa J, Jamison QD, Siegle AG, Katta PK, Bhagavathula P, Kevan PG, Fulton D, Losin N, Kepplinger D, Yetzbacher MK, Salehian S, Forkner RE, Hanley D

PLoS Biol

23-Jan-2024

PMCID:	PMC10805291
doi:	10.1371/journal.pbio.3002444
PMID:	38261631

The quest for Homer’s moly: exploring the potential of an early ethnobotanical complex

Molina-Venegas R, Verano R

J Ethnobiol Ethnomed

20-Jan-2024

PMCID:	PMC10799392
doi:	10.1186/s13002-024-00650-7
PMID:	38245738

Botanical memory: five centuries of floristic changes revealed by a Renaissance herbarium (Ulisse Aldrovandi, 1551–1586)

Buldrini F, Alessandrini A, Mossetti U, Muzzi E, Pezzi G, Soldano A, Nascimbene J

R Soc Open Sci

08-Nov-2023

PMCID:	PMC10645095
doi:	10.1098/rsos.230866
PMID:	38026021

Benzoindolizidine Alkaloids Tylophorine and Lycorine and Their Analogues with Antiviral, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anticancer Properties: Promises and Challenges

Di Sotto A, Valipour M, Azari A, Di Giacomo S, Irannejad H

Biomedicines

24-Sep-2023

PMCID:	PMC10603990
doi:	10.3390/biomedicines11102619
PMID:	37892993

Meta-Topolin-induced mass shoot multiplication and biosynthesis of valuable secondary metabolites in Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni bioreactor culture

Ptak A, Szewczyk A, Simlat M, Błażejczak A, Warchoł M

Sci Rep

19-Sep-2023

PMCID:	PMC10509197
doi:	10.1038/s41598-023-42619-8
PMID:	37726319

Integrated Analysis of Morphological, Physiological, Anatomical and Molecular Responses of Cassava Seedlings to Different Light Qualities

Zhou Q, Li R, Fernie AR, Che Y, Ding Z, Yao Y, Liu J, Wang Y, Hu X, Guo J

Int J Mol Sci

18-Sep-2023

PMCID:	PMC10531943
doi:	10.3390/ijms241814224
PMID:	37762526

IBA and melatonin increase trigonelline and caffeine during the induction and initiation of adventitious roots in Coffea arabica L. cuttings

de Andrade FH, Ferreira AM, Azevedo LM, de Oliveira Santos M, Carvalho GR, de Resende ML, Bicalho EM, Silva VA

Sci Rep

13-Sep-2023

PMCID:	PMC10499982
doi:	10.1038/s41598-023-41288-x
PMID:	37704663

Characterization of norbelladine synthase and noroxomaritidine/norcraugsodine reductase reveals a novel catalytic route for the biosynthesis of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids including the Alzheimer’s drug galanthamine

Majhi BB, Gélinas SE, Mérindol N, Ricard S, Desgagné-Penix I

Front Plant Sci

30-Aug-2023

PMCID:	PMC10499049
doi:	10.3389/fpls.2023.1231809
PMID:	37711303

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition Activity of Hippeastrum papilio (Ravenna) Van Scheepen (Amaryllidaceae) Using Zebrafish Brain Homogenates

Tallini LR, da Silva CR, Jung T, Alves ED, Baldin SL, Apel M, Timmers LF, Rico EP, Bastida J, Zuanazzi JA

Life (Basel)

10-Aug-2023

PMCID:	PMC10455992
doi:	10.3390/life13081721
PMID:	37629578

CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Cytosine Base Editing Using an Improved Transformation Procedure in Melon (Cucumis melo L.)

Shirazi Parsa H, Sabet MS, Moieni A, Shojaeiyan A, Dogimont C, Boualem A, Bendahmane A

Int J Mol Sci

07-Jul-2023

PMCID:	PMC10342833
doi:	10.3390/ijms241311189
PMID:	37446368

Plants as the Extended Phenotype of Endophytes—The Actual Source of Bioactive Compounds

Rutkowska N, Drożdżyński P, Ryngajłło M, Marchut-Mikołajczyk O

Int J Mol Sci

13-Jun-2023

PMCID:	PMC10298476
doi:	10.3390/ijms241210096
PMID:	37373241

Advances on the Amaryllidacea Alkaloids Collected in South Africa, Andean South America and the Mediterranean Basin

Evidente A

Molecules

12-May-2023

PMCID:	PMC10224442
doi:	10.3390/molecules28104055
PMID:	37241796

Therapeutic and medicinal effects of snowdrop (Galanthus spp.) in Alzheimer's disease: A review

Babashpour-Asl M, kaboudi PS, Barez SR

J Educ Health Promot

28-Apr-2023

PMCID:	PMC10312406
doi:	10.4103/jehp.jehp_451_22
PMID:	37397105

Phytochemical Profile Top

Add a new one!

Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.

Name	PubChem ID	Canonical SMILES	MW	Found in	Proof
> Alkaloids and derivatives / Amaryllidaceae alkaloids / Galanthamine-type amaryllidaceae alkaloids
(-)-Galantamine	9651	Click to see	287.35	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2008.03.008 https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.33.5258 https://doi.org/10.1021/NP800585C
(+)-Narwedine	441596	Click to see	285.34	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1021/NP800585C
(9-Hydroxy-4-methyl-11-oxa-4-azatetracyclo[8.6.1.01,12.06,17]heptadeca-6(17),7,9,15-tetraen-14-yl) 3-hydroxybutanoate	20589457	Click to see CC(CC(=O)OC1CC2C3(CCN(CC4=C3C(=C(C=C4)O)O2)C)C=C1)O	359.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.33.5258
[(1S,12S,14R)-9-hydroxy-4-methyl-11-oxa-4-azatetracyclo[8.6.1.01,12.06,17]heptadeca-6(17),7,9,15-tetraen-14-yl] (3S)-3-hydroxybutanoate	154496894	Click to see	359.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.3987/R-1982-07-1219
[(1S,12S,14R)-9-methoxy-4-methyl-11-oxa-4-azatetracyclo[8.6.1.01,12.06,17]heptadeca-6(17),7,9,15-tetraen-14-yl] (3R)-3-hydroxybutanoate	154495918	Click to see	373.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.3987/R-1982-07-1219
9-Methoxy-4-(2-methylprop-2-enyl)-11-oxa-4-azatetracyclo[8.6.1.01,12.06,17]heptadeca-6(17),7,9,15-tetraen-14-ol	74337434	Click to see CC(=C)CN1CCC23C=CC(CC2OC4=C(C=CC(=C34)C1)OC)O	327.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2008.03.008
9-Methoxy-4-prop-2-enyl-11-oxa-4-azatetracyclo[8.6.1.01,12.06,17]heptadeca-6(17),7,9,15-tetraen-14-ol	13892266	Click to see	313.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2008.03.008
Epi Norgalanthamine	11357792	Click to see	273.33	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2008.03.008
Epinorgalanthamine	443721	Click to see COC1=C2C3=C(CNCCC34C=CC(CC4O2)O)C=C1	273.33	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2008.03.008
Galantamin	3449	Click to see	287.35	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2008.03.008
N-(14-methylallyl)norgalanthamine	24863955	Click to see	327.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2008.03.008
N-allylnorgalanthamine	44447598	Click to see COC1=C2C3=C(CN(CCC34C=CC(CC4O2)O)CC=C)C=C1	313.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2008.03.008
Narwedine	10356588	Click to see	285.34	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2008.03.008
> Alkaloids and derivatives / Amaryllidaceae alkaloids / Lycorine-type amaryllidaceae alkaloids
3,3a-Didehydrolycoran-1alpha,2beta-diol	3978	Click to see	287.31	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2004-827239
Lycorine	72378	Click to see	287.31	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.33.5258 https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2004-827239 https://doi.org/10.3987/R-1982-07-1219
> Alkaloids and derivatives / Amaryllidaceae alkaloids / Tazettine-type amaryllidaceae alkaloids
Pretazettine	73360	Click to see	331.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.33.5258
Sekisanolin	5321780	Click to see CN1CC2(C3(C1CC(C=C3)OC)C4=CC5=C(C=C4CO2)OCO5)O	331.40	unknown	https://doi.org/10.3987/R-1982-07-1219
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Furofurans
[(1S,3R,7Z,9S,12S,13R,15R)-13-[(2R)-butan-2-yl]-13-hydroxy-3,12-dimethyl-4,11-dioxo-10,14,16-trioxatetracyclo[7.5.1.13,6.012,15]hexadeca-5,7-dien-7-yl]methyl acetate	163043860	Click to see CCC(C)C1(C2(C3C(O1)CC4(C(=O)C=C(O4)C(=CC3OC2=O)COC(=O)C)C)C)O	420.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2008.03.008
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Pyrans / Pyranones and derivatives
Chelidonic acid	7431	Click to see	184.10	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00496-9
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Benzoquinolines / Phenanthridines and derivatives
Anhydrolycorine	619567	Click to see	251.28	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1021/NP800585C
Trisphaeridine	443684	Click to see	223.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1021/NP800585C
Ungiminorine	10425948	Click to see	317.34	unknown	https://doi.org/10.3987/R-1982-07-1219 https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.33.5258
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Tetrahydroisoquinolines / 4-phenyltetrahydroisoquinolines
Cherylline	90075	Click to see	285.34	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1021/NP800585C

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Leucojum aestivum

Table of Contents

Details Top

Ethnobotanical Use Top

General Uses Top

Synonyms Top

Common names Top

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

Forms (abbr. f.) Top

Germination/Propagation Top

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Links to other databases Top

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

Scientific Literature Top

Phytochemical Profile Top

Gallery Top

Contributors Top

Collections Top