Great Snow-drop; a genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the hexandria class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the ninth order, Spathaceae. The corolla is campanulated, exserted, the segments inclosed at the points, the stigma simple.
Species. 1. The vernum, or spring leucojum, has an oblong bulbous root, sending up several flat leaves six or eight inches long; and amidst them an upright, channelled, hollow, naked stalk, about a foot high, terminated by a spathe, protruding one or two white flowers on slender footstalks drooping downwards, and appearing in March. 2. The autumnale, or summer leucojum, has a large, oblong, bulbous root, crowned with several long, flat, broad leaves; and amidst them an upright, thick, hollow stalk, 15 or 18 inches high; terminated by a spathe, protruding many white flowers, on slender footstalks, drooping downwards; flowering in May. 3. The autumnale, or autumnal leucojum, hath a large oblong bulbous root, crowned with many narrow leaves, an upright, naked, hollow stalk, terminated by a spathe protruding many white flowers on long weak footstalks, hanging downwards, and flowering in autumn.
Culture. All the three species are very hardy, durable in root, and increase exceedingly by offsets, which may be separated every two or three years.