Galanthus nivalis

common snowdrop
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots.
Order: Asparagales
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Sub family: Amaryllidoideae
Tribe: Galantheae
Genus: Galanthus

As the name suggests, snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) are one of the first of all

spring flowers to bloom; depending on region, they appear in February and
March, often while snow still blankets the ground. This low-growing plant
tolerates partial shade to full sun, a variety of soil types, and requires almost no
maintenance. It is toxic to animals and humans, but where this is not a concern,
it offers the benefit of being virtually immune to feeding by deer and other
wildlife.

Vegetative Leaves Description

These are basal, emerging from the
bulb initially enclosed in a tubular
membranous sheath of cataphylls.
These are generally two (sometimes
three) and linear, strap-shaped
or oblanceolate. Vernation the
arrangement of the emerging leaves
relative to each other, varies between
species. These may be applanate
(flat), super volute (conduplicate) or
explicative (pleated).
Common snowdrops are tiny plants (3 to 6
inches tall) that produce one small (1 inch or less),
white flower, which hangs down off its stalk like a
"drop" prior to opening. When the bloom opens,
three outer petals arch out over three inner petals.
The leaves are shaped like narrow blades, growing
about 4 inches long. Snowdrops are perennial
plants that may multiply and spread over time; in
fact, they will frequently naturalize. Take advantage
of this fact to lift and divide the bulbs when you
wish to propagate snowdrops.

Landscape Uses Botanical Information

Snowdrops are usually planted in drifts of
grouped bulbs, and they will gradually spread
over time. They are often mixed with other
spring-blooming bulbs. You can plant
snowdrop bulbs under deciduous trees
without worrying that your snowdrops will
not receive sufficient sunlight since they
bloom and begin storing nutrient well before
the leaves come out on trees. This fact gives
you a lot of flexibility. As petite plants that
crave good drainage, snowdrops are also well
suited for rock gardens, where they will
provide some early-season interest. And they
are a natural choice for woodland
gardens and for moon gardens, where the
white flowers brighten shady areas and the
evening garden.
Plant taxonomy classifies
common snowdrops as Galanthus
nivalis. The genus name refers to
the white color of the flowers
(gala is Greek for "milk,"
while anthos is Greek for
"flower"), and nivalis is Latin for
"snow-like." They are classified as
spring bulb plants and belong to
the amaryllis family. A native
plant to Europe and southwest
Asia, snowdrops are winter hardy
in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 7. In
the southern zones, the bulbs
may lose vigor over time; this is
plant best suited to cooler
climates.
POOJA.A.M

SNOW DROP ; GALANTHUS

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