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Leucoium (Leucoion the old Greek name)

(Leucoion, the old Greek name used by Theophrastus, from leukos, white, and ion, a violet; referring to the colour and fragrance of the flowers). Snow flake. Including Acis and Erinosma. ORD. Amaryllideae. A genus comprising about nine species of ornamental hardy bulbs, natives of central Europe and the Mediterranean region, and closely allied to Galanthus. Flowers few, in umbels, or reduced to one, often pendulous; scape fistulous. Leaves few, sometimes narrow, linear, sometimes plane, loriform. There are but a few of the species in cultivation. They thrive in a free, open, rich soil. If very heavy, an addition of a little peat or leaf mould is recommended. Increased by offsets, which should be secured as soon as possible after the foliage ripens. Any of the species of Leucoium are admirably adapted for naturalising in the same way as the Snowdrop, which they resemble in general appearance, if a sufficient number of bulbs is obtainable.

L. aestivum (summer).* Summer Snowflake. fl. pure white, about 1in. long, the tip of each perianth segment marked with green, both inside and out; drooping; clusters from four to eight-flowered. Spring and early summer. l. linear, obtuse, with a blunt keel. h. 1 1/2ft. Central and South Europe (South of England). An exceedingly pretty plant, and of easy culture in any ordinary garden soil. (B. M. 1210.) L. autumnale (autumnal). This is the correct name of the plant described in this work as Acis autumnalis. (B. M. 960.) L. Hernandezii (Hernandez's).* fl. white, about 1/2in. long; perianth segments oblong, obtuse, marked with a green spot; stem one to three-flowered. Summer. l. linear, about 1/4in. broad, flat, obtuse. h. 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. Majorca. This species is known in gardens as L. pulchellum. It is generally supposed to be a variety of L. aestivum, but is not so ornamental, and is, consequently, less grown. (L. B. C. 1478.) L. pulchellum (neat). A garden name of L. Hernandezii. L. vernum (spring).* Spring Snowflake. fl. white, with a green spot on the tips of the segments, solitary, drooping, fragrant. Spring. l. few, linear. h. 4in. to 6in. Central Europe, 1596. SYN. Erinosma vernum. A very handsome species, well suited for either rock work or the border. (B. M. 46.) A variety named biflorum is sometimes seen in gardens. (B. M. 1993).