What does a snowdrop look like? Red Book: snowdrop flowers. Choosing healthy bulbs

05.04.2020

The charming snow-white snowdrop is the first to please the eye with its truly winter severity and touching tenderness. Spring has not yet become a full-fledged mistress of its possessions and a white fluffy blanket covers the ground, and a small fragile flower is already fighting for a warm ray of sun. The legendary "Tears of Eve" remind us of Paradise Lost and fill our hearts with a vague sense of pristine beauty.

Growth area

Snowdrop, the Latin name of which is "galanthus", which means "milk flower", belongs to the Amaryllis family, which includes eighteen species and two natural hybrids. Being a perennial grass with a bulbous root, the snowdrop appears in early spring and lives no more than four weeks. The height of the stem reaches thirty centimeters, different subspecies differ in the shape and size of the corolla.

Snowdrops grow in the forests of Central and Southern Europe, as well as in Turkey and the shores of the Caspian and Black Seas. Flowers prefer areas exposed to sunlight, although they can grow in shade. However, they do not tolerate places near swamps or springs with stagnant water. They are not demanding on the composition of the soil, they withstand sub-zero temperatures with firmness. With a lack of moisture, flowering slows down, so in an artificial environment, Galanthus needs additional watering.

The plant has an elegant white corolla with three long outer petals and three short inner ones. At the very edge of the petals there are barely noticeable green spots. On a low flexible stem there are several narrow dark green or grayish leaves. Only one flower grows from one bulb of small diameter.

Popular varieties

Of the twelve types of snowdrop growing in the post-Soviet space, the most common are:

Snowdrop Elvis. A species with rather large rounded flowers that grows in Asia Minor. The height of the stem can reach twenty centimeters. The leaves have a pleasant bluish tint.
Snowdrop snow. The flowering period is the second half of March, it grows in wooded areas throughout Europe. It has a small corolla with a cut compared to other types. The height of the stem is from ten to fifteen centimeters, the leaves are pale green with a grayish tint.
Snowdrop white. The most common species, with more than fifty subspecies and the longest flowering period. On the inside, the fragrant corolla is decorated with yellow spots. The length of the stem is on average ten centimeters, the gray, keel-shaped leaves from below are covered with a wax coating.

Under the "red" protection

Being the first spring flower, the forest snowdrop annually suffers from excessive manifestations of human love. Longing for the green charms of nature, people mercilessly pluck every single one of the specimens that come across, often not even leaving the bulbs. The "cleansing" of flowering islands reaches a special scale during the spring holidays.
Such a negligent attitude towards the plant world led to the fact that Galanthus quickly added to the list of endangered species. Now the flower is listed in the Red Book and is under state protection. Environmental legislation provides for liability for unauthorized actions that lead to the death of the snowdrop population.

The Red Book contains detailed description rare species galanthus with an indication of the external structure and features of vegetative propagation.

According to the provisions of the permanent Commission of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the joint efforts of almost all countries of the world are active work to restore the plant population and develop effective measures for its protection.

In the Red Book you can also find a description of the species and subspecies of the snowdrop, protected in a certain area. This may be a list of endangered plants of both a region and a particular country. The authorities may adopt resolutions of local and national significance. At the same time, it is possible to organize complex measures to save the population and expand the range of the plant.

Planting and reproduction

After flowering, the bulbs of Galanthus are underground at rest until autumn. And only by the second half of September they wake up in order to grow roots and bloom again in the spring. Visible growth and blooming of flowers lasts until the first foliage appears on the trees.
Snowdrop grows well in loose soil with lots of moisture. When planting in clay soil, add a small amount of sand and organic fertilizers. As soon as the galanthus begins to germinate, inorganic top dressings can be applied. It is not recommended to cut the leaves before they are completely dry.

Charming and tender, surprisingly defenseless and infinitely hardy - these are all snowdrops, the very first to appear every spring on barely thawed thawed patches.

The amazing aroma and no less amazing fragile appearance of this beautiful flower, unfortunately, turned against him - enterprising traders practically mow down the spring lawns covered with galanthus, jeopardizing the very existence of this elegant beauty. Since 1981, the snowdrop has been listed in the Red Book.

Delicate primrose

The botanical name of the snowdrop is galanthus, harmonious and elegant, like the representative of a dozen and a half species of which are still found in the European forest expanses of Kabardino-Balkaria, North Ossetia, Chechnya and Dagestan, as well as in eastern Georgia and north-western Azerbaijan. Galanthus is a primrose protected by the Red Book of Russia.

Snowdrop is a perennial and the earliest blooming one that breaks out of the ground with the first warm rays as soon as the snow begins to melt. Each bulb produces only one straight pedicel. Dark green shiny leaves appear simultaneously with a flower, similar in shape to snow-white with green edging, have three inner petals surrounded by three larger ones. This unusual structure makes them unique and elegant. The plant reaches a height of 15-18 cm, abundant flowering starts at the beginning of April.

Red Book of Russia: snowdrop

Unfortunately, the collection of galanthus for bouquets or for trade is not the only reason that affects the significant decrease in the number and representatives of this plant. The factors leading to unpleasant consequences that make the snowdrop disappear, the Red Book considers:

Digging bulbs by amateur gardeners,

Deforestation, reducing the area where snowdrops used to grow;

Trampling or destroying the forest floor;

Ecological problems of the region.

For example, in Dagestan, all species of the snowdrop plant growing on the territory of the republic are under the threat of extinction. The Red Book of Russia assigned the third category to Galanthus, characterizing it as a rare species that is not yet threatened with extinction, but, since it is already found in a small amount and in rather limited areas, with a negative change in the habitat, provoked by some natural or soon, it may well disappear.

Snowdrop: description. Red Book and plant protection

The Red Book provides for the responsibility of the country in whose territory endangered species grow, so the implementation of conservation measures, such as bans on the sale of rare plants, the creation of reserves and nature reserves, as well as their cultivation, should bring results.

I would like to believe that it will be possible to preserve the Galanthus population, because the Red Book of Russia is engaged in its protection. Protected plants, including snowdrops, cannot be plucked, sold, etc. Breeding research on the cultivation of many rare species is carried out constantly, and cultural cultivation of snowdrops is welcomed among flower growers. For propagation of Galanthus on your own suburban area you should be aware of his preferences and developmental features.

Agrotechnics of cultivation

Snowdrop is unpretentious. Growing under the canopy of forest trees and shrubs, it has long adapted to excellently tolerate partial shade, but it also feels no worse in open spaces. Excellent winter hardiness and endurance to spring temperature changes enable flower growers to plant it in various parts of the garden. You just need to know that it will grow better on loose and well-drained soil fertilized with humus or compost. In heavy clay soils, it is worth adding sand. But stagnation ground water will not allow the snowdrop to successfully take root.

Garden propagation welcomes the Red Book of Russia. Plants - snowdrop, crocus and other bulbs - are planted on general rule: to a depth corresponding to two bulbs. Usually snowdrops regulate the planting depth themselves. If they are too deep, then they form a new onion on the peduncle going up already at the right distance from the soil surface. With a shallow location in the soil, the bulbs become smaller, but children quickly form.

About the choice of planting material

It is better to buy bulbs in July-September, and plant them in autumn. At this time, the plant is at rest. When buying, you need to pay attention to the condition planting material. Bulbs should be dense to the touch, with intact shells, without mechanical damage and putrid manifestations. If they have overgrown roots and stems, then this will require an early planting. Small (dried and not affected by mold) cuts on the scales of the bulb are acceptable, but there should be no damage to the bottom. Planting material with a cut off top, but not a damaged bottom, is considered viable. You should not buy beaten or crumpled bulbs - they may have internal damage or foci of decay. It is impossible to grow a good snowdrop from such planting material. The Red Book does not give recommendations on growing species, it only determines the status and area of growth. The most favorable conditions for breeding will be exactly where the natural habitat is located.

Galanthus bulbs do not tolerate prolonged drying. Do not keep them outdoors for more than a month. If the planting time has not yet come, then the bulbs must be sprinkled with sawdust or small chips, put in a cotton bag or a perforated plastic bag. The shelf life will last for 2-3 months.

top dressing

While the snowdrop is actively growing, it needs a liquid top dressing of inorganic potassium phosphate fertilizers without nitrogen content, which can cause excessive leaf growth. Potassium is needed for the formation of healthy winter-hardy bulbs, and phosphorus is necessary for flowering. Active growth requires a lot of water. Usually, watering is not needed, but if suddenly the spring is dry, then the grower will have to provide the plant with moisture. Watering small-bulbs is not burdensome - they are very resistant to drought and will not die, but will be low. After the end of the season care is not needed.

So, easy care for the unpretentious will bring joy to gardeners and save the snowdrop. The Red Book is needed as a document controlling its protection.

Snowdrop or Galanthus belongs to the Amaryllis family. Although this rare plant is listed in the Red Book, it is not so difficult to grow it on your own site. Very quickly, the flower spreads over a large area. The quivering inhabitants of the forest will delight you with the beauty of awakening nature and delicate aroma. They suddenly appear in small groups in thawed patches. First, juicy green shoots contrast with the snow, and then tiny flower heads bloom.

Snowdrops can exist not only on the street, but also in pots on the balcony. And miniature bouquets will stand in a vase for a long time, reminding you of the arrival of spring.

Botanical description

Galanthus is a tiny bulbous perennial. It is distributed in Central and Southern Europe, in central Russia, in the Caucasus and in Asia Minor. The bulb is elongated vertically, its diameter is 2-3 cm. As it grows, children (small daughter bulbs) form under the outer scales.

The plant has a very short growing season. In early spring, when the sun begins to warm more strongly and the snow melts, snowdrops wake up and release their first leaves. Depending on the climate zone, this can occur from February to May. After a short flowering, the shoots die off and completely disappear by mid-summer.

The elongated bulbous neck contains 2-3 oblong lanceolate leaves of a dark green color. The length of the leaves ranges from 10 to 25 cm. A single peduncle appears simultaneously with the leaves. It carries a single drooping milky bell. The corolla consists of three elongated, oval bracts and three wedge-shaped, shorter petals. The flowers exude a faint but pleasant fragrance.

After pollination, a seed pod with dense walls ripens in place of the bud. Internal partitions divide it into 3 compartments. They contain several small black seeds.

Popular varieties

According to various classifications, there are 12-25 varieties in the genus Galanthus. This discrepancy is due to the fact that some plants are too similar to each other and botanists argue whether to attribute them to a separate species or to an already registered one. Let us dwell on the most famous and cultivated varieties.

The plant is common in the mountain forests of Transcaucasia. The yellowish bulb reaches a length of 4 cm, and a width of 2 cm. Dark green flattened leaves with a wax coating rise above it. The length of the plant is 18 cm. The peduncle about 6 cm high carries a snow-white bell. The outer bracts are obovate in shape, slightly curved, their length is about 2 cm. Inside are wedge-shaped petals, they are half as long. On the petals, above the notch, a green spot is visible. Blooms in March.

This species is the most common in Russia for cultivation in culture. It is actively growing and occupies the adjacent territories. In mid-March, 2 narrow sheets of bluish-green color grow out of the soil. Fragrant bells consist of elongated petals white color. Closer to the pharynx on the perianth is a yellow spot. Flowering lasts all April. This species has become the basis for several hybrid varieties:

Flore Peno - terry variety with greenish inner petals;
Lutescens is a moody plant with miniature pale flowers;
Lady Elphinstone - terry variety with yellow spots on the inner petals;
Arnot - long white bracts hide a short flower with green spots;
Viridapicis - blooms already at the end of February with large flowers, there are green spots at the ends of all petals.

The plant is found in the Alpine foothills and is most suitable for the northern regions. Above a large bulb 4-5 cm long, erect dark green leaves are located. During the flowering period, their length is 16 cm, and later it reaches 20-25 cm. A white bell is located on a peduncle 15-20 cm long. Oval outer petals hide short ovate ones. A shapeless green spot is visible on the flower. There is no notch on the petals. Flowering occurs in May-June for 20 days. No fruiting, propagated vegetatively.

Also popular among the people blue snowdrops. However, this plant does not belong to the genus Galanthus. Most often, under this name they mean scillas from the Asparagus family. They are quite similar in external structure and early flowering, but they have nothing to do with snowdrops.

Reproduction methods

Most convenient way snowdrops breeding is the branch of young bulbs. Every year, 1-3 additional bulbs are formed on the mother plant. After 3-5 years, when the curtain grows enough, it can be divided. In August-September, after the foliage has completely dried, snowdrops can be transplanted. The bush is carefully divided by hand, trying not to damage the thin rhizome. Bulbs are planted to a depth of 6-8 cm singly or in small groups.

Seed propagation is considered more difficult, although it allows you to get many plants at once. The seeds must be allowed to fully mature. Crops are produced immediately after harvest, as they quickly lose their germination capacity. Sow seeds in open ground to a depth of 1-2 cm. Seedlings bloom in 3-4 years. The place should be chosen shady, calm.

Features of care

Location. Miniature snowdrops grow easily and do not need careful care. However, they are very demanding on the location and composition of the soil. Plant them under trees. The place should be quite shady in summer, but well warmed up by the sun in early spring. Ideal planting under deciduous tall trees such as walnut, cherry, chestnut and others.

Temperature. The plant normally tolerates even very coldy and does not require additional protection. In summer, excessive overheating can lead to the death of the bulbs. To do this, you need shade from the trees.

The soil should be nutritious and moist, but without stagnant water. Loose substrates with the addition of compost or humus are suitable. Sand must be added to clay soil.

Watering snowdrops are needed only in severe drought. Usually they have enough water from melted snow and spring rains.

Fertilizer. During the growing season and flowering, it is worth feeding monthly. Choose phosphate and potassium liquid complexes. From an excess of nitrogen, foliage grows strongly, which is subsequently often affected by fungal diseases.

Diseases and pests. With regular stagnation of water in the soil, snowdrops suffer from fungal diseases (rust, powdery mildew, chlorosis). To protect rare plants, you need to choose the right composition of the soil and place. Periodically, it is recommended to transplant and treat the bulbs with a fungicide. The natural pests of Galanthus are slugs, caterpillars, bulbous nematodes, and mice. Coarse sand and shell rock are scattered around the lawn from rodents and slugs, and turf with grass is also placed around the perimeter. From small insects, insecticide treatment will save.

Planting and caring for snowdrops

Usage

By planting snowdrops on the site, you can not only decorate the territory, but also propagate the endangered plant. Galanthus are good in group plantings in rock gardens or in the middle of a lawn. If, however, they are evenly distributed under the trees, you can get a solid carpet, like in a forest.

In flower beds, snowdrops are placed in the foreground, along with others. shade-tolerant plants. When the first flowers fade, attention will turn to the neighbors. These can be blueberries, corydalis, primroses, lungworts, peonies, hosts and even ferns.

Snowdrop bouquets look great in a vase without any decoration, but can be combined with leafy or other flowering specimens. You should not pick a lot of flowers and collect them in the forest, because the snowdrop is listed in the Red Book of Russia. It is better to admire their gentle beauty on the street.

Interestingly, the plant contains galantamine. This alkaloid was isolated in the middle of the 20th century. It is used in traditional medicine and is included in preparations to combat Alzheimer's disease and other diseases of the nervous system.

Snowdrops in landscape design

In Russian tradition, all the first spring flowers are called snowdrops. Although from a botanical point of view, only Galanthus (Galanthus) is considered a true snowdrop, but in different regions of our country, a variety of plants from completely different botanical families are known under this proud and sweet name.

Snowdrops in Russia are most often called anemones, or anemones (Anemone), liverworts (Hepatica), backache (Pulsatilla), blueberries (Scilla), cyclamens (Cyclamen) and hellebore (Helleborus). Almost all of these plants are protected by law, as they are often the subject of mass collection for commercial purposes, and in addition, they are severely affected by climate change and deforestation.

Scilla

In the forests of the European part of Russia, two types of forests can most often be found: Siberian and two-leaved. Siberian is the "blue snowdrop" familiar to many. It is very unpretentious and reproduces well by children and seeds, which are scattered around the area by ants. As a result, this plant forms magnificent blue carpets.

Scilla two-leaved has several small flowers with beautiful stamens on the peduncle. In gardens, it is less common, but in the mass is no less spectacular.

Snowdrop (Galantus)- herbaceous plant Amaryllis family, genus perennial herbs(in nature, there are about 20 species, most of which grow in the Caucasus and Asia).

How many species of snowdrops exist today, biologists cannot say, because they have several opinions on this matter. However, they are all sure that the number of varieties of the plant exceeds 18. Snowdrops of many species are largely similar to each other and have approximately the same size, and they received their names either from the place of growth or in honor of the people who discovered and explored them.

Snowdrops are one of the first flowers that bloom immediately after the snow cover melts, and many people can easily recognize them even in photos, but for those who are not yet familiar with snowdrops, we will give short description and the name of the most common species of this plant.

Admiring these fragile flowers, few people thought about what types of snowdrop are listed in the Red Book, although in fact, almost all of them are noted in it, except for the snow-white snowdrop. All species are threatened with extinction to some extent, as they are found in wild nature only in certain areas in limited quantities, and deforestation, destruction of soils in their places of growth, environmental pollution and digging up their bulbs for cultivation at home can affect the disappearance of such a plant as snowdrop.

We will now tell you what a real snowdrop of each of the main species looks like, and the attached photos will clearly demonstrate the beauty of these marvelous plants.

Did you know? The name "snowdrop" in literal translation means "milk flower".

Alpine snowdrop (Galanthus alpinus) - a herbaceous bulbous plant, the length of the bulb of which is 25-35 mm, and the diameter is 15-20 mm. Broadly lanceolate leaves of a dark green color, up to 7 cm long, although after flowering they can grow up to 20 cm. The peduncle reaches a length of 7-9 cm, the outer perianthous leaves are obovate, slightly concave, up to 20 mm wide, and up to 10 mm long, internal - half as small, wedge-shaped, with a depression surrounded by a greenish spot.

The plant begins to bloom 4 years after planting. It blooms in late winter-early spring with white flowers, in addition, at the end of spring a fruit with small seeds appears. Reproduction is possible both by seed and vegetatively - with the help of baby bulbs that form in an adult plant. The birthplace of the alpine snowdrop is the lower and alpine belt, as well as Western Transcaucasia.

Byzantine snowdrop

Byzantine snowdrop (Galanthus byzantinus) grows on the Asian coast of the Bosphorus. Flower growers in countries like to grow it Western Europe, although this species has not yet become widespread in our country. Prefers grassy open areas. The Byzantine snowdrop is the closest variety of the folded snowdrop.

Its flowering period falls in autumn: first, a low peduncle appears with a green speck at the base of the inner perianth leaves. Appearance snowdrop is unusual: a white carved flower with many long petals. The leaves are green, narrow, about 5-6 cm long, erect.

Caucasian snowdrop (Galanthus caucasicus) - a plant with linear flat shiny leaves of green color, reaching a length of up to 25 cm. The bulb is yellowish, up to 40 mm long, up to 25 mm in diameter. Peduncle 6-10 cm high produces a white fragrant flower 20-25 mm long and about 15 mm in diameter.

The perianth segments on the inside are partially green in color. Flowering occurs from the end of March and lasts 12-15 days. Fruiting is irregular, and shelter is required for wintering. In the Caucasian snowdrop, the habitat is more concentrated in the Central Transcaucasus.

Important! Snowdrop bulbs are poisonous, so protective gloves should be used when transplanting this plant.

Bortkiewicz snowdrop (Galanthus bortkewitschianus) grows in the wild in the North Caucasus, preferring beech plantations. It got its name in honor of the dendrologist Bortkiewicz.

The bulb of the plant is about 30-40 mm long, 20-30 mm in diameter. Snowdrop leaves are rich green in color with a bluish tint, lanceolate, during flowering their length is 4-6 cm, but after that they grow up to 25-30 cm in length and up to 2 cm in width. The peduncle grows to a height of about 5-6 cm with a wing and a pedicel of 3-4 cm. and green coloring around the recess.

Snowdrop Krasnov (G. krasnovii) grows on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus and Turkey, prefers beech, hornbeam and mixed forests. The flower got its name in honor of the botanist A. Krasnov.

The bulb of the plant is 20-35 mm long, 20-25 mm in diameter, and the bright green leaf during flowering reaches a length of 11-17 cm, and a width of about 2 cm, after flowering the leaves grow up to 25 cm. The peduncle reaches 13- 15 cm, with a wing up to 4 cm long, with barely noticeable green keels. The outer tepals are slightly concave, 2-3 cm long and about 1 cm wide, the inner ones are elongated with a pointed end, 10-15 cm long, about 5 mm wide. Flowering occurs in early spring.

White snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) most common in our country, growing rapidly, spreading over fairly large areas. The bulb is spherical, with a diameter of 10-20 mm. The leaves are flat rich green in color, about 10 cm long, the peduncles grow up to 12 cm high. The flowers are very large, up to 30 mm in diameter, have a green speck on the edge of the tepals. The outer tepals are elongated, the inner ones are much shorter, wedge-shaped.

The white snowdrop blooms earlier than other species, and the flowering period lasts up to 25-30 days. This species has many varieties and varieties. Reproduction occurs both vegetatively and by seed, self-seeding is possible.

Snowdrop broadleaf (Galanthus plathyphyllus) has a large bulb up to 5 cm long, from which erect leaves grow, rich green in color, up to 16 cm long. A high peduncle (up to 20 cm) gives a large white bell-shaped flower, the outer petals of which are elliptical in shape and cover shorter and round internal. There is no notch on the petals, but there is a noticeable green spot.

Broad-leaved snowdrop blooms in late spring for 18-21 days. Fruits are not formed, the plant propagates by vegetative method. This species is common at the foot of the Alps, ideal for growing in our latitudes in fertile loose soil with sufficient lighting.

Did you know?It has been observed that a longer and frostier winter also prolongs the duration of snowdrop blooms in spring.

Folded snowdrop (G. plicatus) is one of the tallest types of snowdrops with quite large flower and characteristic downcurved leaf margins. In the wild, it grows in the mountainous areas of Ukraine, Romania and Moldova.

The bulb of the plant is ovoid, up to 30 mm in diameter, covered with light-colored scales. The leaves are a pale green color with a bluish tint, but after flowering, their color becomes dark green. The peduncle grows up to 20-25 cm, and on it there is a single fragrant drooping flower, 25-30 mm long and up to 40 mm in diameter, which subsequently gives a fruit box with seeds.

Flowering begins in March and lasts approximately 20 days. Reproduction - seed and bulbous. The folded snowdrop grows densely in the adjacent area, there can be up to 25 plants per 1 m², which, when blooming, form a beautiful flower bed.

Cilician snowdrop (G. silicicus) grows in the foothills of the mountains of Asia Minor and Transcaucasia. The bulb is wedge-shaped, 15-23 mm long, and up to 20 mm in diameter. The linear leaves are matte green, growing up to 15 cm long and up to 1.5 cm wide. Peduncle 14-16 cm long with a wing of 3 cm. The outer tepals are 19-22 mm long, elongate-oval, slightly tapering at the base, the inner ones are elongated, up to 10 mm long, have a depression at the top with a partial green color. Flowering occurs in mid-spring.

Snowdrop Corfu (G. corcyrensis Stern)- got its name from the places of its growth - the island of Corfu, is also found in Sicily. Flowering occurs in late autumn, and characteristic feature of this rare endangered snowdrop is the simultaneous appearance of leaves and flowers. This species is medium in size, with a rather large flower up to 25-30 mm long and 30-40 mm in diameter. On the inner petals there is a peculiar green pattern.

Elwez snowdrop (Galanthus elwesii) up to 25 cm high, grows in Eastern Europe, where it is also cultivated. Leaves up to 30 mm wide, bluish tint. Flowers - spherical large, their length reaches 5 cm, very fragrant. The inner tepals are marked with green spots. Flowering begins at the end of winter and lasts up to 30 days.

Got its name in honor of the collector M. Foster. The snowdrop of this species grows in the territory of Western Asia, but the cultivation of flowers takes place in the countries of Western Europe. Flowering begins in early spring and lasts up to 15 days.

The leaves are narrow, lanceolate, up to 14 cm long, while the peduncle reaches a length of 10 cm. The flowers are medium in size. The outer tepals are concave, with characteristic green spots near the indentation at the base, as well as at the top of the inner leaf.

Greek snowdrop

Greek snowdrop (Galanthus graecus) grows in the forest foothills of Greece, Romania and Bulgaria.

The bulb of the plant is oblong, up to 15 mm long and up to 10 mm in diameter. The leaves are bluish-green, up to 8 cm long and up to 8 mm wide, the leaf plate is wavy. The peduncle grows up to 8-9 cm, the wing is about 3 cm. The outer narrow tepals reach 25 mm in length, the inner ones are half as much.

Flowering begins in April and lasts up to 15 days. Reproduction is vegetative.

Important! Snowdrop bulbs require prompt planting within 12-18 hours after digging, because outside the ground they quickly dry and die.

Icarian snowdrop (Galanthus ikariae Baker) grows on the rocky soil of the islands of Greece. In our country, it was not cultivated in open ground.

Bulb - 20-30 mm long and 15-25 mm in diameter, leaves are dull green in color, up to 9 cm long before flowering and grow up to 20 cm after it. The peduncle reaches a height of up to 22 cm, the wing is 2.5-4 cm. The outer tepals are concave, lanceolate, up to 25 mm long. The inner leaves are wedge-shaped, up to 12 mm long, have a green spot that occupies half the area of the leaf. Flowering occurs in April.

Lagodekhi snowdrop (Galanthus lagodechianus) grows at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains. Bulb up to 25-30 mm long, about 15 mm in diameter. The flat-shaped leaves are glossy, deep green in color, grow up to 8 cm during flowering and up to 30 cm after it. Peduncle approximately 8-9 cm, with wing and pedicel 30-40 mm. The flowers of the Lagodekhi snowdrop reach 30 mm in length, the outer narrow leaves are curved, the inner ones are wedge-shaped, have a depression at the top with a green speck surrounding it.

Flowering occurs in early spring. Reproduction is vegetative. This species is one of the rarest in cultivation.

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