Nickname - "snowdrop". What flowers hide under one name
Snowdrop or galanthus (lat. Galanthus) - a genus of perennial herbaceous plants Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). The botanical name comes from the Greek words "gala" and "anthos", which together mean "milky flower".
Description
Representatives of the genus belong to ephemeroids, i.e. are characterized by an extremely short growing season, and the rest of the annual cycle is carried out in the form of a resting underground part.
snowdrops
The bulb, 2–3 cm in size, consists of thick scales that form annually: two from the lower leaf, one from the base of the assimilating leaves. The scales are planted on the bottom, small filamentous roots grow from it. Daughter bulbs are formed in the sinuses of the mother. Two (rarely three) linear or lanceolate, smooth or folded, with a bluish bloom or green leaves form a surface bunch that grows from the neck of the bulb at the same time as the buds. During the flowering period, the leaves are slightly shorter or equal in height to the peduncle, after flowering they grow.
A rounded or flattened arrow is crowned with a bract and a single drooping bell-shaped flower. Perianth has six leaflets: three outer - they are larger (15-30 mm), usually elliptical; three internal ones are short, obversely wedge-shaped, with a characteristic green spot at the top. This spot consists of individual stripes, the number of which is different types changes the overall size and shape of the spot. The fruits are three-leaved boxes in which a few black snowdrop seeds ripen.
Snowdrop structure
18 species and 2 hybrids of natural origin are described in the genus. The most decorative and popular in culture are:
P. alpine(G. alpinus) = P. Caucasian (G. Caucasicus) - a species that naturally grows in the Caucasus. The bluish leaves during the flowering period are up to 7 cm long, and then grow up to 30 cm. Peduncles up to 10 cm high are crowned with a white flower with a green spot up to 2.5 cm. Flowering lasts 2 weeks in April.
P. Elveza(G. elwesii) - tall (up to 25 cm), very decorative look with broad bluish leaves and large spherical flowers. About 15 forms are cultivated in horticulture.
P. snow white(G. nivalis) - the most common species in culture in the temperate zone, which has about 50 garden forms. The earliest honey plant, at the end of March, it already begins to bloom. This is a low (up to 12 cm) species with bluish lanceolate leaves up to 10 cm long and very elegant flowers. Single, drooping flowers are white, with green spots along the edge of the perianth, their diameter is 3 cm.
Voronov's snowdrop flower
P. angustifolia(G. angustifolius) - a species similar to the white snowdrop, but much smaller - even with prolonged cultivation.
P. flat-leaved(G. platyphyllus) = Broad-leaved snowdrop (G. latifolius) - a species native to Transcaucasia, which has perfectly taken root in the northern zone. There is no bluish bloom on the leaves, the flowers are large (up to 4 cm). Its flowering lasts a month, starting in April.
P. folded(G. plicatus) is one of the largest representatives of the genus. The bluish bloom of the leaves disappears after flowering, peduncles 16 cm high are crowned with white flowers.
P. Voronova(G. woronowii) - the leaves of plants of this species after flowering grow and form folds, the stem is tall and ribbed, the flower is large, decorative. An early flowering species, leaves with flowers already appear at the end of February.
Other species are not so popular in culture and are of value only for collectors - P. Ikarian (G. Ikariae), P. Foster (Galanthus fosteri), P. Cilician (G. cilicicus), P. Koene (G. koenenianus), P. Lagodekhi (G. lagodechianus), P. Queen Olga (G. reginae-olgae), P. Transcaucasian (G. transcaucasicus), Galanthus trojanus, Galanthus rizehensis, Galanthus peshmenii, Galanthus gracilis, as well as hybrids - Galanthus × allenii, Galanthus × valentinei and others.
Photogallery of species
Cultivation and care
Both sunny and somewhat shaded areas can be suitable for growing snowdrops and caring for them. Too shady places will not allow thawed patches to form, and access is needed during the growing season sun rays.
Like all bulbs, galanthus does not tolerate stagnant water. The soil should be well-drained, loose and sufficiently nutritious - with humus or compost in the composition.
Snowdrop bulbs overwinter in the ground without any problems. Planting snowdrops does not need to be covered, especially since spruce branches in spring prevent the formation of thawed patches.
A sign of spring - blooming snowdrops
reproduction
Snowdrop propagation can occur by seeds or daughter bulbs.
To grow snowdrops from seeds, they are sown in the ground to a depth of 1 cm immediately after harvest, the seedlings will bloom from the third year. Self-sowing also gives excellent results and good germination of sprouts.
During the summer, 1-2 are formed on each bulb, in some species - 3-4 daughter bulbs. They should be separated and transplanted in August or early September - this is a favorable time when the plant is at rest. The bulbs are immediately planted in the ground, it is not recommended to store them for more than a month, as they do not tolerate overdrying.
When planting, the "golden rule" of all bulbs applies - the depth of the planting hole must correspond to three diameters of the bulb.
Snowdrops can grow in one place from 5-6 years or longer.
snowdrop bulbs
Diseases and pests
Of the diseases for the snowdrop, the following are dangerous:
fungal nature: rust or gray mold that affects leaves and stems. If gray spots are detected, it is necessary to immediately remove the damaged parts or entire plants, and treat the rest of the planting with fungicides.
Viral diseases are manifested in the form of light, bumpy spots and deformation of the leaves. Viruses do not penetrate the seeds, so it is enough to simply remove the affected plants.
Snowdrop can be damaged by pests:
bulbous nematode- a small worm that infects bulbs. Its presence is evidenced by swelling along the edges of the leaves. Sick plants should be destroyed, and the rest of the bulbs should be dug up and kept in hot (40-45 ° C) water. In the future, drop them off to another place.
Mice and moles damage the bulbs, and special traps are set up to protect plants from rodents.
Scoop caterpillars, slugs are also a danger to the bulbs. They can be collected during weeding, and the soil can be cultivated by special means from these pests.
Snowdrop in group planting with crocus
Use in landscape design
In the garden, snowdrops feel great under trees or shrubs on the illuminated side. Late flowering, especially deciduous perennials in the spring will not interfere with the access of the sun during the active growing season of the plant. Subsequently, growing, they will hide the already dying snowdrop leaves at that time, and the shadow they create will not damage the plant at rest.
Plants look good in separate groups of 30 pieces, imitating corners wildlife, but a uniform carpet landing is also possible.
Other spring primroses: crocuses, daffodils, hellebore, hyacinths will become beautiful and contrasting partners with snow-white snowdrop flowers.
Cut bouquets of snowdrops look gentle and cute in small vases. A longer life of flowers will provide ice added to the water.
Many species of snowdrops are endangered, they are listed in the Red Book. Despite the prevalence and unpretentiousness of these plants, the scale of collecting blooming snowdrops for decorative purposes often exceeds the possibilities of their natural reproduction. These species can be saved by growing them in culture.
White snowdrop - Galanthus nivalis L. " style="border-style:solid;border-width:6px;border-color:#ffcc66;" width="250" height="435">
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Other names: Galanthus.
Diseases and effects: residual effects after poliomyelitis, myasthenia gravis, myopathy, polyneuritis, radiculitis.
Active substances: galantamine, lycorin, galanthin, galanthin, galantamidin.
Plant collection and preparation time: February - April.
Botanical description of the white snowdrop
Snowdrop white is a type species with similar properties to all members of the genus Snowdrop (Galanthus). The genus belongs to the family Amaryllis (Amaryllidaceae). Snowdrop is a perennial plant.
Bulb ovoid or conical, up to 1.5 cm in diameter and 1.5-2 cm long.
Stem(peduncle) cylindrical, 7-12 cm high, ends with one drooping flower.
Leaves herbaceous, covered with a blue-green coating, fleshy. There are two separate basal leaves. The leaves appear at the same time as the buds.
Flower snowdrop has 3 protruding petals 12-30 mm long and 3 shorter ones with a green spot in the form of a horseshoe. Stamens 6.
Fetus- a box with three valves, oblong seeds.
The snowdrop is pollinated by butterflies, beetles, flies and bees.
Distribution and habitat of the white snowdrop
There is a snow-white snowdrop almost throughout Europe. Very often you can meet feral garden molds snowdrop.
The white snowdrop grows in floodplain and moist forests, in partial shade and on moist, nutrient-rich soil.
Snowdrop snow-white during flowering is able to tolerate frost.
White snowdrop harvesting
Bulbs and leaves of the plant are used as medicinal raw materials.
The chemical composition of the white snowdrop
The bulbs and the aerial part of the plant contain alkaloids. Among them, the most important are galantamine, lycorine, galantine.
Lycorin, galanthin and galantamidin were found in the roots of the plant.
Pharmacological properties of white snowdrop
The use of snow-white snowdrop in medicine
Snowdrop snow-white and preparations from it are used for residual effects after suffering poliomyelitis, with myasthenia gravis and myopathy, polyneuritis and radiculitis associated with traumatic lesions of the nervous system.
Substances isolated from the snowdrop have been used in medicines for Alzheimer's patients for several years.
Dosage forms, method of application of snow-white snowdrop
Galantamine hydrobromide (Galanthaminum hydrobromicum). Available in ampoules. The drug belongs to list A. The highest dose is 0.01, the daily dose is 0.02.
Contraindications to the use of white snowdrop
The plant is poisonous due to narvedin, which is found in the bulbs, and galanthamine, which is found in all parts of the snowdrop. Preparations from it should be used only after consultation and as directed by a specialist.
Snowdrop poisoning leads to disturbances in the digestive tract.
Contraindications to the use of snowdrop preparations are epilepsy, hyperkinesis, bronchial asthma, angina pectoris, bradycardia, intestinal colic.
Other information about the snowdrop
On the territory of the former USSR, 12 species of snowdrop are currently found.
Insects easily recognize white snowdrop flowers even in the snow, as they reflect ultraviolet rays very well.
In the Caucasus, another species is well known - Snowdrop Voronov (Galanthus woronowii Losinsk.), named after the Russian botanist and connoisseur of the flora of the Caucasus, Yuri Nikolaevich Voronov. This species is somewhat larger than the snow-white snowdrop and has all its properties.
Snowdrops are the earliest honey plant. They give bees nectar from February to April.
Due to their early appearance and beauty, all types of snowdrops are widely cultivated in gardens and home gardens.
Snowdrop in history and mythology
According to ancient myth, once the goddess Flora handed out costumes for the carnival to the flowers, so that each of them could meet the return of Bacchus in a smart way. Snowdrop got White dress. When the snow wished to take part in the fun, the snowdrop shared her dress with him. Since then, they have become inseparable friends.
In the Druid calendar, the snowdrop belongs to the circle of flowers associated with the holidays of Anthesteria and the lunar month preceding the spring equinox.
Snowdrop flowers are unpretentious harbingers of spring. In early spring, when it has not yet had time to get off, tired of winter, snow, in the mountains and foothills, on forest lawns from under the snow, in barely thawed thawed patches, a snow-white, blue or purple miracle appears - early snowdrop flowers.
Usually they grow in vast glades, illuminated by the gentle rays of the cool, but gentle first spring sun. They amaze with their amazing fragile defenselessness and, at the same time, endless unpretentious endurance, radiating an attractive aroma, not very strong, but extremely pleasant.
Herald of spring and a symbol of hope for the long-awaited arrival of warmth - snowdrop flower. Description plants should start with a clarification: this miracle is usually born in March or April.
Soon after such a phenomenon to the world, its bud rushes towards the sun, eventually forced to bow, appearing to be suspended on a bizarrely curved pedicel.
Photo of snowdrop flowers
The form snowdrop flowers reminds . An unblown bud of the most common of the species - snow-white snowdrop also looks like a drop of snow, because that's what the British call the plant.
Pro spring flowers, which have become the personification of the awakening of nature, there are many beautiful legends. According to one of them, Eve, expelled from paradise to the cold snow-covered earth, became very cold out of habit. And to please her a little, a few bizarre snowflakes turned into first snowdrop flowers embodying the anticipation of future earthly joys.
Snow-white snowdrop - a plant with two linear dark green leaves that appear with peduncles almost simultaneously, reaches a length of only about 10 cm.
The bract, consisting of two halves, protects the breaking bud. The arrow usually has a single flower with six individual petals.
The three inner ones, with a green top, are cone-shaped and surrounded by three elliptical, larger petals, which gives a unique grace.
The vegetation period of the plant is not too long, and flowering lasts from several days to two weeks. Flowers disappear, ceasing to please the eye, along with the disappearance of the last snow, when the winter cover finally leaves the earth to give way to the green and bright multi-colored summer outfit of nature.
Being medicinal plant, snowdrops are used for medicinal purposes. However, this is done with great care, as the beautiful flowers can become extremely dangerous.
Planting and reproduction
Usually in nature snowdrops– forest flowers. However, they can be found anywhere, but they simply adore moist nutrient soil.
After the end of their flowering, it is time for the formation of seeds. They ripen in a greenish-yellow, rounded fleshy box with three compartments, they are spherical in shape and black in color.
"Box" in which snowdrop seeds are formed
By this time spring nature already finally awakening, and many small insects develop violent activity. Among them are ants, eager to feast on the juicy appendage, which the grains of the snow-white snowdrop possess.
Thus, small laborers contribute to the spread of seeds, pulling them along the numerous underground passages dug by them.
Shortly thereafter, the upper part of the plant dies off completely. Only the bulb remains, which, surviving a long, harsh winter underground, is able to give life to one new one next spring, again capable of pleasing the eyes of others.
Even in autumn, the bulb gives new roots and accumulates nutrients inside itself. And already during this period, new flowers and leaves are formed, which, hatching, practically reach the surface of the earth, spending the winter in such a state that with the first rays of the sun, overcoming this barrier, appear to the eye at a moment when the snow has not yet melted.
Snowdrop bulbs from which you can grow snowdrops
Snowdrop has been considered early spring for several centuries. ornamental plant. Also known and popular indoor flower. But he begins to please with his flowering only six or seven years after sowing.
When growing flowers, gardeners should take into account that this representative of the flora is used to growing under the canopy of trees, adoring partial shade, and does not take root well in open spaces.
But in general, the plant is completely unpretentious, resistant to temperature extremes and frost. However, it prefers loose soil rich in fertilizers. If it is planted in clay soil, it is better to add some sand there.
It is customary to plant the bulbs at a depth corresponding to their double size. But even if this rule is not respected, an unpretentious plant helps itself.
When planted deep, it forms another bulb, which grows on top of the previous one for the best sprouts to reach the soil surface. With a small planting depth, the bulb is crushed, forming children.
It is better to buy bulbs at the end of summer with the intention of planting them in the fall. They should be firm to the touch without rot or damage. When storing the bulbs, do not keep them outdoors, but pour them with sawdust and put them in cotton bags.
When planting, the plant must be fed with a phosphorus- and potassium-rich fertilizer that does not contain nitrogen in order to avoid excessive leaf growth. During a dry spring, snowdrops need watering, but after flowering, it is no longer needed.
Types of snowdrops
What are the colors of snowdrops just doesn't exist. In total, there are about eighteen species of a plant that bears the elegant sonorous botanical name "galanthus" and belongs to the Amaryllis family.
For example, the already mentioned, snow-white snowdrop, rightfully considered the most famous of all varieties of these flowers, mainly grows in Central Europe.
Snowdrop Bortkiewicz
In the Caucasus, in meadows, limestone rocks and beech forests in early spring, it is possible to observe the flowering of the alpine and Caucasian varieties, as well as the species of snowdrops, named after the forestry scientist Bortkevich. The mentioned plants, as a rule, are low, and reach a length of no more than 7 cm.
The Byzantine snowdrop, common on the coast of the Bosphorus, where it grows in abundance among shrubs, differs from previous species in that it is able to delight with its flowering in winter and autumn.
Snowdrop Elwes
The Cilician variety and Elwes snowdrop is found in the mountains of Asia Minor and in southern Europe. The latter is tall (the length of its peduncles can reach 23 cm), has large spherical flowers, delighting with aroma and early flowering.
In late autumn, on the island of Corfu and in Sicily, the Corfiot variety pleases the eye. Foster's snowdrop is common in Lebanon and is very similar to the broad-leaved Caucasian snowdrop. The Greek variety adorns the landscapes not only of this country, but also of Romania and Bulgaria.
Exist flowers that look like snowdrops so many people often confuse them. As a rule, these plants belong to the same family. One of these representatives of the flora is the white flower, which blooms not only in early spring, but also much later. It is too bulbous plant, but its peduncles reach a length of about 25 cm.
The number of snowdrops and protection from extermination
Appearing first in nature after a long winter, they cannot but be attractive and popular. It is for this reason that snowdrops become victims of ruthless extermination.
Intemperate nature lovers thoughtlessly pluck them, making many bouquets of flowers. Moreover, enterprising merchants practically mow the spring lawns, trying to make such a miracle of nature a source of profit, taking advantage of the natural desire of many who wish to buy snowdrop flowers.
But not only for the reasons indicated, this plant is found less and less in its natural environment. Other factors include the merciless digging of bulbs by enthusiastic gardeners.
Affects the number of flowers and a decrease in forest area, damage to the forest floor containing seeds and bulbs of plants, as well as other environmental problems.
Currently Red Book characterizes snowdrops, as a rare species with the assignment to the plant of the third category. This means that wonderful flowers are not yet threatened with complete extinction, but under adverse conditions, this threat still exists.
Reserves and sanctuaries are created to protect the rare ones. There are strict restrictions on picking and selling snowdrop flowers.
SNOWDROP(Galánthus), from the Greek words gala - milk and anthos - a flower, that is, a flower of milky white color. The snowdrop got its Russian name because it appears literally from under the snow, and there are many Ukrainian variants. Prolisok, pіdsnіzhka, white ryast, speed growth, yarnik, i.е. - sunny spring. In the Carpathian region, a snowdrop is called Moguryanin, i.e. mighty, strong: after all, there are still frosts, and he is so gentle, thin, growing right from under the snow.
Snowdrop flowers are a symbol of spring, a symbol of hope for a happy future. The same is said in the Christian legend. When Adam and Eve were expelled from paradise, it began to snow and Eve froze. Then a few snowflakes, wishing to console her, turned into flowers. Seeing them, Eva cheered up, she had hope for better times.
There are many legends about the origin of the snowdrop among the people.
A long time ago there lived a brother and a sister, they were orphans. The brother worked as a laborer, hunted, and the sister busied herself with the housework, from their parents they left a house on the edge of the forest. And then one day, when my brother was not at home, my sister decided to collect cleaner snow to wash the floors. It was the very beginning of spring and there was still a lot of snow in the forest. She took buckets and went into the forest. But it still seemed to her that behind the next tree it would be even cleaner. So, from tree to tree, she climbed deep into the forest. Here the old goblin saw her, that he rode around his possessions on a lame wolf. He grabbed her, threw her over the wolf's back and took her to his lair - they say, she will be his mistress. The girl was not at a loss - she pulled a string of beads from river pearls left over from her mother, and began to mark her path with beads. But they fell without a trace into the snow. She realized that her brother could not find her, and wept bitterly. The sun took pity on the grief of the orphan, melted the snow, and in the place where the beads fell, the first spring flowers grew - white snowdrops. Through them, the brother found his way to the goblin's lair. As the goblin saw him, he squealed and took to his heels. And the brother and sister returned to their house and began to live more friendly than before.
But here's what's interesting. A lot of people confuse snowdrops and blueberries, calling them blue snowdrops, although we are talking about completely different flowers from a botanical point of view.
The so-called "blue snowdrop" is a scilla (Scilla) and it belongs to another family - lilies, like a snowdrop - a symbol of hope, happiness, youth and beauty. The people believe that if you find a blueprint for the Annunciation or Easter, you need to put it under the icons for good luck.
In turn, the scilla is often called “sleep-grass” and this is also a mistake, because sleep-grass is a popular name for various herbs, but it also has a botanical name - Backache, (Pulsatílla), which belongs to the ranunculus family. This is an example of how often different plants are given the same names by the people (see about this in the articles: “mint”, “rue”), which, of course, must be taken into account.
So, Ukrainian legends often talk about forests.
That was a long time ago. She escaped from Turkish captivity, poisoning the guards with a decoction of hemlock, the Ukrainian girl Katrya. She hid, she was afraid: she knew that if they caught her, a terrible reprisal awaited her.
The sultan soon returned from the campaign and, having learned about everything, became furious, ordered the fugitive to be returned alive or dead. The chase lasted for many days, and yet the Janissaries overtook the girl, she had nowhere to go. Katrya hugged a bush of last year’s dry grass and prayed: “My mother, my land! Don’t let me die! Don’t let the infidels return me to captivity again. Better part, land, and take me to you forever! "Mother Earth heard that prayer. Suddenly, the bare bushes were covered with green leaves and blue flowers, like Katri's eyes, grew, reminding posterity of the brave Ukrainian girl, of her inextinguishable desire for freedom. And they called them blue-eyed snowdrops.
Another legend about woodlands.
In hoary old times, there lived in one village a gentleman, rich and unkind. And there lived a girl - a beauty with wonderful long braids and beautiful blue eyes. Time passed, she grew up and became even more beautiful. I fell in love with a good guy who worked as a shepherd for a master. The day of the wedding has come. Music, fun. And then the barin was driving by. He looked at the girl and was dumbfounded by such beauty. Immediately, on his orders, the guy was seized, put in chains and thrown into prison, and the girl was taken to the master's chambers.
He wanted to make her his mistress, but she did not submit: her blue eyes looked at the master with contempt and disgust. He could not cope with the girl, withstand her gaze. He ordered her to be taken to the forest, and then an obliging lackey offered to gouge out her eyes for her disobedience. So did the monsters and wanted to trample them. But then the earth stood up for these blue eyes, hid them. In his anger, the master pulled out a pistol and shot into the girl's heart. And a miracle happened. The manor's estate caught fire from the shot, the chained young guy was freed, and the master with the footman turned into a stump with a viper. People ran into the forest, they didn’t find the girls, only beautiful blue flowers, like girl’s eyes, bloomed in the middle of the meadow.
Some sources say that snowdrops were woven into the Ukrainian wreath, but I could not find more specific instructions - the type or type of wreath. It is logical to assume that the girls were happy to weave wreaths from the first spring herbs and flowers, especially if at that time there was a matchmaking, wedding, or some other joyful event.
But what a snowdrop has healing properties, has long been known. It is also used in classical medicine. Preparations from some varieties of snowdrop are used in the treatment of the consequences of poliomyelitis and childhood cerebral palsy. The post-war outbreak of poliomyelitis, which swept through many countries, when there were no effective drugs, made these drugs very popular. In sick children, motor functions were fully or partially restored. Here is such a fragile little flower, but what strength it has!
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In Russian tradition, all the first spring flowers are called snowdrops. Although from a botanical point of view, only Galanthus (Galanthus) is considered a true snowdrop, but in different regions of our country, a variety of plants from completely different botanical families are known under this proud and sweet name.
Snowdrops in Russia are most often called anemones, or anemones (Anemone), liverworts (Hepatica), backache (Pulsatilla), blueberries (Scilla), cyclamens (Cyclamen) and hellebore (Helleborus). Almost all of these plants are protected by law, as they are often the subject of mass collection for commercial purposes, and in addition, they are severely affected by climate change and deforestation.
Scilla
In the forests of the European part of Russia, two types of forests can most often be found: Siberian and two-leaved. Siberian is the "blue snowdrop" familiar to many. It is very unpretentious and reproduces well by children and seeds, which are scattered around the area by ants. As a result, this plant forms magnificent blue carpets.
Scilla two-leaved has several small flowers with beautiful stamens on the peduncle. In gardens, it is less common, but in the mass is no less spectacular.
