Snow-drop, in botany: A genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the hexandra class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the ninth order, Spathaceae. There are three concave petals; and the nectarium consists of three small emarginated petals; the stigma is simple. There is but one species, viz. the nivalis; which is a bulbous-rooted flowery perennial, rising but a few inches in height, and adorned at top with small tripetalous flowers of a white colour. There are three varieties, viz. the common single-flowered snow-drop, the semi double snow-drop, and the double snow-drop. They are beautiful little plants; and are much valued on account of their early appearance, often adorning the gardens in January or February, when scarce any other flower is to be seen. They frequently burst forth when the ground is covered with snow, and continue very often till the beginning of March, making a very ornamental appearance, especially when disposed in clutters towards the fronts of the borders, &c. The single kind comes first into bloom, then the semi-double, and after that the double. They will succeed anywhere, and multiply exceedingly by offsets from the roots.