Greater Snowdrop



There are quite a few species of snowdrop out in flower at the moment. None are truly wild, even the 'normal' one that can carpet our woodland floor (Galanthus nivalis). They are all very similar, but with a bit of practice the other interlopers can be picked out. But beware! They can hybridise.

This morning I came upon a clump in Banstead (above), between the churchyard and car park in the High Street. The flowers were large, the leaves broad, and the inner tepals exhibited an extended area of green marking, particularly towards the base. I feel that I am on safe ground to suggest that this is Greater Snowdrop (Galanthus elwesii). I also came across naturalised crocuses (Early, Spring and Golden), Three-cornered Leek and Sweet Violet. They made a colourful procession to make the season seem even more advanced than it truly is.

Comments

Simon Douglas Thompson said…
Aha so the big ones with the green mark have a name! I'm guessing that there are 5 or 6 different species in my local cemetery, judging by sizes and emergence times
19 February 2016 at 12:50
Steve Gale said…
You would be quite close with that estimate of 5 or 6 species Simon, although hybrids and variation might just confuse things!
19 February 2016 at 12:57
Derek Faulkner said…
It's so refreshing to see a blogger talking about wildflowers instead of birds, birds and dragonflies = love it.
19 February 2016 at 15:50
Steve Gale said…
The good news Derek is that we are coming into prime wildflower time!
19 February 2016 at 16:19
Derek Faulkner said…
Fill your boots then Steve
19 February 2016 at 16:44
Anonymous said…
Just a few spikes showing through the grass here at the moment in Shetland. Spring is still a long way off in the blasted north. More snow here than snowdrops at the moment!
27 February 2016 at 15:09
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