Scilla section Chionodoxa, known as glory-of-the-snow, is a small group of bulbous perennial flowering plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae.

The blue, white or pink flowers appear early in the year making them valuable garden ornamentals.

The common name of the group is based on the habit of flowering in high alpine zones when the snow melts in spring.

[6] Chionodoxa was distinguished from the genus Scilla by two features: the tepals are joined at their bases to form a tube rather than being free; and the stamens have flattened stalks (filaments), which look almost like a cup in the centre of the flower.

A 1999 phylogenetic study, based on plastid DNA, included some species which have been placed in Chionodoxa and showed that they were embedded within Scilla.

For example, plants occurring in Crete have at one time or another been put into three species (then in the genus Chionodoxa): C. albescens, C. cretica and C. nana.

There has been considerable confusion over the correct names of species grown in gardens, with the most common being called either Chionodoxa luciliae, C. forbesii or C. siehei.

All can be bought as dry bulbs and planted while dormant in late summer or early autumn at a depth of 8–10 cm.

[8] In addition to the common purplish-blue varieties, S. forbesii is sold as pink and white cultivars (possibly under the name C.