Snowdrop

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Snowdrop beginning to flower in early January 
Galanthus nivalis, or snowdrop, are a very familiar sign of spring and of the end of the colder winter months. They are in the family Amaryllidaceae which they share with other perennial and bulbous flowering plants such as daffodils, onions and garlic. Snowdrop are herbaceous plants which means they have no apparent woody steam which aids their identification. They grow from a bulb and are perennial so regrow for many years. Typically they flower in the early months of the year from January through to March. Their flowers do not have petals but have tepals that look like petals. In total they have 6 tepals arranged by the 3 inner tepals being smaller with a notch in the tip with the larger tepals around the edge. Their leaves are fairly narrow and are a dull grey-green colour, smooth to the touch.

They grow in damp areas such as moist woodland and riverbanks. When they flower in the early months of the year queen bumblebees spread the seeds they produce if the weather is dry and warm enough. They are doing well in the British countryside and as considered to have the conservation status of Green which means they have least concern. However, the plant is a fairly new species in the UK. In 1597 they were first cultivated and by 1778 were recorded in the world. There has been little change within the species since then.

Snowdrop have many uses and folklores revolving around them. For ornamental purposes they are planted in gardens and local parks due to their pretty nature and flowering time. They have traditionally been used as a medicine to treat headaches but in recent years a compound in the bulb is being used to try and develop a form of dementia treatment. However, Snowdrop have a high toxicity to humans and their bulbs are poisonous to humans and, if consumed, can lead to problems such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea.

In order to maintain the growth of snowdrops in the future, the Wildlife Trust manages woodlands in a variety of different ways. They are using a mixture of different management techniques such as coppicing, scrub-cutting, ride maintenance and non-intervention. The aim of this is to help the wildlife in woodlands thrive. Volunteering with your local Wildlife Trust is on way you can get involved in protecting and maintaining British woodlands and allow its beauty to be seen for many future generations to come.

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