Horticulture/Galanthus

Snowdrops Galanthus_nivalis.jpg Galanthus Amaryllidaceae Perennial bulbs Insects Galanthus is a small genus of perennial bulbs in the Amaryllis family. ../Galanthus nivalis/ is the best known species, but others are in cultivation, particularly by collectors. Description All species of Galanthus have bulbs, linear leaves, and erect flowering stalks, destitute of leaves but bearing at the top a solitary pendulous bell-shaped flower. Galanthus nivalis grows 15 cm tall, flowering in January or February in the northern temperate zone. The white flower has six petals, the outer three segments being larger and more convex than the inner series. The six anthers open by pores or short slits. The ovary is three-celled, ripening into a three-celled capsule. The Snowflakes, (../Leucojum/ spp.); are similar, but much larger and flower in late spring (or early summer, depending on the species), with the petals and sepals of the same length, though it should be noted that some "poculiform" (slipper-shaped) Galanthus can have inner segments similar in length to the outer ones. Growing Conditions Moist bet well-drained, humus-rich soils. Grows in part shade to dense shade. Species ../Galanthus x allenii/ G. alpinus G. caucasicus G. fosteri G. elwesii G. gracilis G. ikariae G. imperati G. lagodechianus G. latifolius G. nivalis G. peshmenii G. platyphyllus G. plicatus G. reginae-olgae G. rizehensis G. woronowii Uses Used for naturalizing, lawn plantings, and under trees. Celebrated as a sign of spring, snowdrops can form impressive carpets of white in areas where they are native or have been naturalised. These displays may attract large numbers of sightseers. Several gardens in the British Isles open specially in February for visitors to admire the flowers. Sixty gardens took part in Scotland's first Snowdrop Festival (1 Feb–11 March 2007). http://white.visitscotland.com/snowdrops/ VisitScotland.com: Snowdrop Festival 11 March 2007 Maintenance Rarely needs attention. The foliage should never be "tied". Propagation Division or seed. Pests and diseases Gray Mold caused by ../Botrytis galanthina/ (Sclerotinia galanthina) ../Nematodes/ Stem and Bulb Rot caused by ../Ditylenchus dispaci/ ../Maggots/ Narcissus Bulb Fly: ../Merodon equestris/ Gallery References Galanthus nivalis Aaron P. Davis, "The Genus Galanthus", A Botanical Magazine Monograph. Timber Press, Portland, OR (in association with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew) Matt Bishop, Aaron Davis, John Grimshaw, "SNOWDROPS A Monograph of Cultivated Galanthus", Griffin Press, January 2002 () Gvaladze G.E. Ultrastructural study of Embryo Sac of Galanthus nivalis L. In: Fertilization and embryogenesis", Bratislava, 1983 Gvaladze G.E., Akhalkatsi M.Sh. Ultrastructure of autumn and spring Embryo Sac of Galanthus nivalis L.- Annales Scientifiques de l'Universite de Reims Champagne-Ardenne et de l'A.R.E.R.S., 1988, Numero 23 Homer's moly identified as Galanthus nivalis L.: physiologic antidote to stramonium poisoning. Plaitakis A, Duvoisin RC. Clin Neuropharmacol. 1983 Mar; 6(1):1-5. Abstract Ann Fowler Rhoads and Timothy A. Block Anna Anisko, illustrator The Plants of Pennsylvania: An Illustrated Manual 2000 Morris Arboretum, University of Pennsylvania Press 861 Christopher Brickell and Judith D. Zuk The American Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants 1997 DK Publishing 453–455 Staff of the L. H. Bailey Hortorium Hortus Third: A Concise Dictionary of Plants Cultivated in the United States and Canada 1976 Cornell University Press 492 Pirone Pascal P. Diseases & Pests of Ornamental Plants Fifth Edition 1978 John Wiley & Sons, New York 270–271 Pippa Greenwood, Andrew Halstead, A.R. Chase, Daniel Gilrein American Horticultural Society Pests & Diseases: The Complete Guide to Preventing, Identifying, and Treating Plant Problems First Edition 2000 Dorling Kindersley (DK) Publishing, inc. 200