The genus Acis was created in 1807 by R.A. Salisbury. Acis is a member of the Amaryllidaceae family. In the 1880s the species in this genus were lumped into the genus Leucojum. Dolores Lledo, Aaron Davis, Manuel Crespo, Mark Chase and Michael Fay from RBG Kew in a new paper to be published entitled Phylogenetic analysis of Leucojum and Galanthus (Amaryllidaceae) based on plastid matK and nuclear ribosomal spacer (ITS) DNA sequences and morphology have determined that Galanthus is most closely related to Leucojum and that the species formerly included in Acis should be returned to that genus. These species are the small species with narrow leaves and unmarked flowers. This information was provided by John Grimshaw.
Acis autumnalis , syn. Leucojum autumnale, begins to bloom in summer and continues to bloom well into the fall. In 2002 it bloomed July-November in the Northern hemisphere. Ones I had in the ground dwindled away and it may be too dry in Northern California in the summer. The ones in pots are nearly evergreen. It is small and delicate, but very satisfactory as it blooms a long time. Photos by Bob Rutemoeller and John Lonsdale
I withheld water this year (2004) so I could divide them while not in growth, but had to hurry as they were starting to bloom in July without leaves present. The flowers are very small, but shiny. Photos by Mary Sue Ittner.
Acis autumnalis var. oporantha , syn. Leucojum autumnale var. oporanthum flowers before the leaves and is from the Rif Mountains. Another distinctive feature is the pedicels arch from the middle or the base. This variety is no longer accepted as a separate variety, but is included under the species name. The first photo by John Lonsdale and the next two taken September 2003 by Lee Poulsen.
Acis autumnalis var. pulchella , syn. Leucojum autumnale var. pulchellum from Northern Africa flowers with the leaves present and has pedicels arching over at the apex. This variety is no longer accepted as a separate variety, but is included under the species name. Photo by John Lonsdale
Acis nicaeensis, syn. Leucojum nicaeense is native to a small area in southeastern France, near the Mediterranean. The stems are about 5 inches (12 cm) tall and the flowers pure white. It flowers in late spring and increases well in a bulb frame, kept somewhat dry in summer. Photo by Jane McGary
Acis rosea , syn. Leucojum roseum grows wild in Corsica and Sardinia in dryish rocky or sandy places and has pale pink flowers. It blooms in late summer or early autumn befoe the leaves are produced. Photos by John Lonsdale
Acis tingitana , syn. Leucojum tingitanum , flowering in mid winter in Tasmania. The first image is of plants grown and photographed by Rob Hamilton. Image 2 shows it flowering in late winter in a bulb frame in Oregon, grown from seed and photographed by Jane McGary. Native to North Africa, it is reputed to be tender, but the Oregon specimen is shown in bloom six weeks after experiencing temperatures in the low 20s Fahrenheit, under glass. Image 3 shows Acis tingitana , syn. Leucojum tingitanum , exhibited at Harlow Alpine Garden Society show in March 2002. The plants were exhibited by Jim Archibald, quite possibly from the same seed collection as those in Janes' photograph. Photograph by Tony Goode.
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