Galanthus reginae-olgae Galanthus reginae-olgae Galanthus reginae-olgae is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae, native to Sicily and the west and north-west Balkans (parts of Greece and the former Yugoslavia). Some variants produce their pendant white flowers in autumn, others in winter and early spring. It is cultivated as ornamental bulbous plant, preferring warmer situations in the garden than other species of "Galanthus" (snowdrops). "Galanthus reginae-olgae" has revolute leaves that are dark green with a central silver line and when fully grown are 11–15 cm long by 3–8 mm wide. Its flowers have three larger outer tepals, pure white, and
Chlamydomonas nivalis such that it is covered by the carotenoid globules full of astaxanthin that will provide protection against UV radiation. The majority (91%) of astaxanthin derivatives are stored in its monoester form within dormant "C. nivalis" red cysts. Astaxanthin is the pigment that makes the cell appear deep red. Other pigments that can also be found in "C. nivalis" include violaxanthin and fadonirubin. Visible algal blooms could be a crucial determinant of surface albedo. It has been suggested that algal blooms partially composed of "C. nivalis" may contribute to lowering ice and snow albedo. The red coloured pigments produced by the