Snowdrops

An early indicator of the turning seasons with the offer of hope that spring is not far off. (The Latin name Galanthus nivalis translates as ‘milk flower of the snow’.) There is an expanding clump of snowdrops in the reserve by the far bench.

The plant produces more bulbs each year so doesn’t need pollinators for propagation, though some early bumblebees will benefit while doing the job.

…tilt their petals towards you

you’ll look up under their petticoats

into a hoard of gold …

from Snowdrops by Paula Meehan 2009

Gently lift a flower to see inside: in the wild there are six white tepals (not petals); the smaller central three each have a notch at the tip, with a striated green inner surface. The plant is native to Europe and was introduced here in the late 16th century; although quite beautiful, as the upturned flower was thought to look like the pleats of a shroud, it was associated with death and never brought into the house.

While the bulb is poisonous, an alkaloid extract, Galantamine, is currently used to alleviate cognitive loss in the earlier stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

You may see more snowdrops along the Canal and up the ‘Muddy Path’, though some of these are one or other of the many cultivars such as the double-flowered Galanthus nivalis flore pleno, pictured above. There is even one variety named Gloucester Old Spot, recognised in 1990, which has two green spots on each inner tepal.

Further information and images

The Woodland Trust: snowdrops