Bellevalia leucantha K. Perss. sp. nov. is described from Turkey, where it was collected in the east central part of Anatolia. It is a dwarf alpine species, flowering near melting snow. The chromosome number is 2n = 8. The peculiar Bellevalia crassa Wendelbo, which was originally described on fruiting material, has flowered in cultivation in Goteborg. A description of the species in flower is supplied, and its synaptospermic fruit dispersal is discussed and compared with species in the same and other genera. The chromosome number is 2n = 8. Both species are placed in section Bellevalia. (c) 2006 The Linnean Society of London.