Galanthus other two genera in the modern Galantheae in tribe Amarylleae, order Amaryllidaceae, alliance Narcissales. These three genera have been treated together taxonomically by most authors, on the basis of an inferior ovary. As the number of plants increased, so did the taxonomic complexity. By the time Bentham and Hooker published their "Genera plantarum" (1862–1883) ordo Amaryllideae contained five tribes, and tribe Amarylleae 3 subtribes (see Bentham & Hooker system). They placed "Galanthus" in subtribe Genuinae and included three species. "Galanthus" is one of three closely related genera making up the tribe Galantheae within subfamily Amaryllidoideae (family Amaryllidaceae). Snowdrops are sometimes
Luzula nivalis ("to shine, sparkle") or the Latin "luzulae" or "luxulae", from "lux" ("light"), inspired by the way the plant's hairs sparkle when wet with dew. "Nivalis" is Latin for snowy, snow-covered or snow-like. The exact taxonomy of "Luzula nivalis" is a little confusing due to confusions over the naming of the taxon; the name "L. arctica" has frequently (though less occasionally in recent years) been applied this taxon, or it has been regarded as a separate species altogether. Elven et al. (2003) stated that "a number of authors (Hultén 1968, Böcher et al. 1968, Porsild and Cody 1980, Novikov 1990) have