Galanthus this study corresponded to clade nivalis, subseries "Glaucaefolii" with clade Elwesii and subseries "Viridifolii" with clades Woronowii and Alpinus. However, the model did not provide complete resolution. "sensu" Ronsted et al. 2013 "Galanthus" is derived from the Greek γάλα ("gala"), meaning "milk" and ἄνθος ("anthos") meaning "flower", alluding to the colour of the flowers. The epithet "nivalis" is derived from the Latin, meaning "of the snow". The word "Snowdrop" may be derived from the German "Schneetropfen" (Snow-drop), the tear drop shaped pearl earrings popular in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Other, earlier, common names include Candlemas bells, Fair maids of
Chlamydomonas nivalis "C. nivalis" is complex, it also helps the algae exploit its niche and survive unfavourable conditions. As a result, "C. nivalis" is one of the best known and studied snow algae. When taking account of the photoprotective effect of its secondary carotenoid, astaxanthin, among the other adaptive mechanisms to its extreme habitat, it can be understood how "C. nivalis" became so dominant in microbial snow algae communities. Green motile offspring are produced in the spring and throughout the summer. They develop into red dormant cysts, the stage where this organism spends most of its life cycle, as the winter season