Geograph - photograph every grid square

Early Snowdrops

A small clump of Snowdrops seen on New Year's Day and visible in SY5690 : To the village.

Although the Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) is native to many parts of Europe it is thought to have been introduced to Britain in the 16th century, since when it has become widely naturalised. The individual flower head is carried on a leafless stem and has six tepals (where the sepals and petals are indistinguishable from each other), the outer three are pure white and the inner three are notched at the tips and carry distinctive bright green markings. Snowdrops are early flowerers showing from January to March. Celebrated as a sign of spring, snowdrops can form impressive carpets of white in areas where they have become naturalised, particularly in graveyards and woodland areas.