Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis)
Facts
| Kingdom | Plantae |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Anthophyta |
| Class | Liliopsida |
| Order | Liliales |
| Family | Liliaceae |
| Genus | Galanthus(1) |
| Size |
Leaf width: 4 mm (2) Leaf length: 10-25 cm (2) Bulb diameter: 1 cm (2) |
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Status
Widespread (3).
Description
The snowdrop is an early flowering bulbous plant; the pure white blooms are a cheering sight in late winter (4). The narrow leaves are bluish-green in colour, and the leaf-tips are hardened in order to break through frozen ground (4). The solitary white flowers are pendulous, and are enclosed by a papery sheath in the early stages (5). The segments of the perianth are petal-like; the outer three are 14-17 mm in length, the inner three are typically half as long, and have a green patch at the tips (2).
Range
Although often thought to be a native species in some areas, the snowdrop is now believed to have been introduced to Britain, and has since become naturalised. It was growing in cultivation in 1597, but it was not until 1778 that it was recorded in the wild (3). Many colonies originated as garden escapes (4). Outside of Britain, the snowdrop is known from France and Belarus (White Russia) south to the Pyrenees, Sicily and southern Greece. It is also known from Asia Minor, Syria, south east Russia and the Caucasus region of south-west. Introduced populations have also naturalised further north than these areas (2).
| You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway |  |
Habitat
Thrives in moist woodlands and other shaded areas; typically found in gardens, churchyards, parks, damp grassland, road verges and by watercourses (3).
Biology
This perennial plant flowers in February and March (5) and is pollinated by bees (2). It spreads mainly by division of the bulbs; seed production is extremely poor, either because cross-pollination is rare as there are so few insects around in February, or because cultivated populations are usually sterile (4).
The pure white flowers have been accepted by the Christian church as symbols of Candlemas, the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary (2 February), and snowdrops are often typical sights in monastic grounds (4).
Threats
This species is not threatened.
Conservation
Not relevant.
Further Information
For more information on British plants and their conservation see Plantlife- the wild plant conservation charity:
http://www.plantlife.org.uk/
Visit the website of the Botanical Society of the British Isles at:
http://www.bsbi.org.uk
Authentication
This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
arkive@wildscreen.org.uk
Naturalised: term used to describe a species that was originally introduced from another country, but becomes established, maintains itself and invades native populations.
Perennial: plants that live for at least three seasons; after an initial period they produce flowers once a year.
Perianth: the outer envelope of a flower, typically comprising of an inner whorl (calyx) of sepals or floral leaves, and an inner whorl (corolla) of petals.
References
- National Biodiversity Network Species Dictionary (Feb 2003):
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nbn - Clapham, A.R., Tutin, T.G. & Moore, D.M. (1987) Flora of the British Isles. 3rd Edition. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
- Preston, C.D., Pearman, D.A. & Dines, T.D. (2002) The New Atlas of the British and Irish Flora. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
- Mabey, R. (1996) Flora Britannica. Sinclair-Stevenson, London.
- Press, B. & Gibbons, B (1993) Photographic field guide to wild flowers of Britain and Europe. New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd, London.
