Galanthus nivalis or commonly known as the "Common Snowdrop" is the most famous representative from the small genus of Galanthus. It is comprised of about 20 species under the
family Amaryllidaceae. Galanthus species possess bulbs, linear leaves, and erect flowering stalks, destitute of leaves, but bearing at the top is a solitary pendulous bell-shaped flower. A Common Snowdrop can reach 15 cm tall and and blooms in January or February in the northern temperate zone. Its white flower has six petals with the outer three segments being larger and more convex than the inner series. Its six anthers open by pores or short slits and the ovary is three-celled, ripening into a three-celled capsule.
This plant propagates by offsets or by seeds. There are professional growers and keen amateurs that use methods like "twin-scaling." This method increases the stock of choice varieties quickly. This specie is often compared to its relative Snowflakes or Leucojum. However, Leucojums are much larger compared to Galanthus. They also blossom in spring, with all six petals in the flower in the same size. Galanthus is one of the flowers blooming in our garden these days. My mom loves spending time there while reading her new entertainment magazine with
actress Jodie Foster as its cover.
