What Anna Atkins referred to asLeucojam Varium is now known asLeucojum aestivum, more commonly known as summer snowflake or Loddon lily. The flowers are small, bell-shaped and usually white with green or yellow tipped petals. They are native to central and southern Europe, but this particular specieshas spread throughout Europe, including the British isles.

Atkins created her cyanotype photograms by placing the specimen onto light-sensitive paper, and then exposing paper and subject to the sun for a period of time. She then developed the image using the cyanotype process, resulting in a rich blue background.