Galanthus nivalis Snowdrop PFAF Plant Database

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Galanthus nivalis - L.

Common Name

Snowdrop

Family

Amaryllidaceae

Synonyms

Known Hazards

The bulb is somewhat poisonous[100, 200]

Habitats

Shady pastures, woods and orchards, usually on damp soils[4, 13, 17]. Probably native in Wales and W. England, but naturalized in other parts of Britain[17].

Range

Europe, including Britain, the Netherlands to the Pyrenees, east to N. Syria, S. E. Russia, W. Asia.

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Galanthus nivalis is a BULB growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in).
It is hardy to zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf 6-Jan It is in flower from Feb to March, and the seeds ripen from May to June. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.

Suitable for: medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Illustration_Galanthus_nivalis0.jpg

Habitats
Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Meadow;

Edible Uses
None known

Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally. Emmenagogue. The plant is emmenagogue[4].

Other Uses
None known

Cultivation details

Prefers a moist heavy loam[108], growing well in grass or amongst shrubs[1]. Prefers a shady position[28, 31]. The dormant bulbs are fairly hardy and will withstand soil temperatures down to at least -5°c[214]. A very ornamental plant[1], it grows well on the woodland edge[24]. The bulbs should be planted about 5 - 7cm deep as early in the spring as possible[1]. A good bee plant, providing an early source of pollen and nectar[108].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[1]. Sow the seed thinly so that there is no need to thin them. The seed usually germinates in the spring[1]. Grow them on in the same pot in a cold frame for the first two years, giving an occasional liquid feed to ensure the plants do not become nutrient deficient. Pot up the small bulbs whilst they are still in leaf in early summer of their second year's growth, putting about 3 bulbs in each pot. Grow them on in the cold frame for a further year before planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring whilst they are still in growth. The plants take about 4 years to flower from seed[200]. Division of offsets[1, 200]. This is best done immediately after the plants have finished flowering (and still have green leaves) though it can also be done in late summer and early autumn when the plants are dormant[200]. Scooping.

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Expert comment

Author
L.

Botanical References
17200

Links / References

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[4]Grieve. A Modern Herbal.

Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.

[13]Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants.

Very interesting reading, giving some details of plant uses and quite a lot of folk-lore.

[17]Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles.

A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.

[24]Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.

Fairly good with lots of ideas about creating wildlife areas in the garden.

[28]Knight. F. P. Plants for Shade.

A small but informative booklet listing plants that can be grown in shady positions with a few cultivation details.

[31]Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.

[108]International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees.

The title says it all.

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[214]Matthews. V. The New Plantsman. Volume 1, 1994.

A quarterly magazine, it has articles on Himalayacalamus hookerianus, hardy Euphorbias and an excellent article on Hippophae spp.

Readers comment

Elizabeth H.
harold jitschak bueno de mesquita	Mon Feb 5 2007

Galantamine -a component of this herb-is now used for Alzheimer as an official drug. Any traditional use of this plant known,where safety is "promised"??

Elizabeth H.
Ken Fern, Plants for a Future	Tue Feb 6 2007

This is a new use for the plant which we had not picked up on before so we are very grateful to Harold for pointing it out. It will be added to the database in the near future. As regards traditional use of this plant, it has very little mention in any herbals probably because it is slightly toxic and no traditional herbalist (as far as I know) had ever picked up on its use in treating depression and improving cognitive function. As far as I am aware, this plant is not suitable for use as a herb (ie the whole herb being used instead of an extract) due to its mildly toxic nature. It does seem to have a lot of potential, though, as an extract.

Elizabeth H.
Tim Argles	Tue Feb 10 2009

P-pod Image Library Over 400 images of snowdrop cultivars

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