The snowdrops are at their best across Caerlaverock just now; their simple, pure delicacy is best appreciated at close quarters! Their latin name Galanthus nivalis, translates as ‘milk flower of the snow’.
Although not a native species, the snowdrop has become well established in the wild, as can be seen around our beautiful Caerlaverock countryside!
Did you know:
- There are around 2,500 varieties of snowdrop.
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In British folklore; snowdrops have come to symbolize hope and purity.
- Snowdrop’s contain a natural anti-freeze. Even if they collapse in freezing weather they recover once the temperature rises.
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- In modern medicine a naturally occurring substance within the plant, called galantamine, is used to help improve sleep and to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
- A new, rare species of snowdrop was identified for the first time during the 2012. It can only be found in a few locations in Georgia and Russia. Unfortunately, one of its natural habitats was destroyed during preparation for the Olympic Games in Sochi.
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- Snowdrop bulbs are poisonous, a fact which perhaps lead to the superstition that a single snowdrop bloom in a house represents death.
- ‘Galanthophiles’ are enthusiasts who collect snowdrops. One bulb called Gallanthus plicatus ‘Golden Fleece’ was sold for £1,390!
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- The name ‘snowdrop’ does not mean ‘drop’ of snow, it means drop as in eardrop – the old word for earring.
Caerlaverock snowdrops
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With help from these sources:
www.softschools.com/facts/plants/snowdrop
www.projectbritain.com/calendar/February/snowdrops.html