Snowdrop interesting facts for kids. Interesting facts about snowdrops. Features of a spring plant

- this is a small but incredibly cute plant, which is the very first to wake up after the winter cold. Its awakening begins with the fact that it releases a few leaves, and soon blooms profusely with white bells with drooping heads. When you see a clearing, richly covered with a carpet garden, from numerous white bells, know that spring is already coming. After all, the awakening of snowdrops is a sure sign that warm days are just around the corner, as a rule, in central Russia, the month of flowering is March-April, but somewhere they grow in winter.

When does the snowdrop appear? What does a snowdrop look like? We will try to answer these and many other questions in our article.

Biological features

In scientific terminology, this flower is called - galanthus. It belongs to the family of perennial herbs from the genus Amaryllis, which have more than 80 subspecies. Galanthus is most often found in southern Europe, the Crimean Peninsula, the Caucasus and Asia Minor. The vast majority of species (about sixteen) are distributed in the Caucasus.

The exact number of varieties of the plant is unknown and this is a fact. Our favorite snowdrop, whose photo even children recognize without any difficulty, is low herbaceous plant, with two linear leaves, about 20 centimeters long. They come out at the same time as the flower stalks.

Visually, the peduncle has single, drooping bells with white perianths, consisting of six leaves. Galanthus is a plant whose flowering has a subtle, but very pleasant aroma. It has round and fleshy fruits in the form of a box with three compartments. They contain a small amount of black seeds. Seeds have succulent appendages to attract ants, which will disperse the seeds, thereby spreading the plant. The reproduction of the flower occurs by bulbs.

The galanthus flower has an ovoid or conical bulb, which is a compact group of other leaves located on one common base.

Types of white color

The Amaryllis family includes about eighty species. Let's look at the most common and familiar to us.

• Snowdrop white

The homeland of this flower is the dense and mighty forests of the Carpathians. The plant can reach a height of about 15 centimeters. This species also includes: Viridapisis, which blooms in February, Ophelia, Lutescens - the only one of its kind that has a characteristic yellow spot, Pusi Green Type, as well as terry Flore Peno.

• Snowdrop Elwes

This plant is native to Asia. Unlike the previous congener, Elwes can reach a height of up to twenty-five centimeters. He is the owner of beautiful bluish-green wide leaves, large spherical flowers of snow-white color. Ask when does he show up? Elvis is the color that awakens the very first among all its relatives and this happens in early February.

An interesting fact is that today, on the basis of this representative, a large number of hybrids have been bred, which are characterized by great endurance and a change in decorativeness. Perhaps the most interesting and popular color is the Arnott variety, which has large flowers and an incredibly fragrant aroma.

• Galanthus plicatus or Folded

This is the kind that started a large number new interesting garden forms. For example, Ikarsky, who came to us from Greece, and today he feels great in Krasnaya Polyana in Sochi; Forster and Voronov quite often grow in the botanical gardens of our vast country.

The uncontrolled and improper collection of these miniature and beautiful creatures leads to the fact that the vast majority of existing varieties had to be brought into Red Book. This book indicates that the plants included in it are on the verge of extinction. The sad truth testifies that every year the probability of meeting a flower that has been born, in wild nature comes to naught.

The color of galanthus does not tolerate drying. Under no circumstances should they be kept fresh air if it is not possible to place the bulbs in the ground, then they must be sprinkled with sawdust and placed in a plastic bag.

Planting bulbs should be carried out as follows: they are placed in loose soil at a depth that is equal to the size of two bulbs. As for heavy soil, then it is better to limit yourself to the depth of one bulb. Under no circumstances should galanthus be planted to a depth of more than five centimeters. But why is that?

Snowdrop is an independent flower that looks like a freedom-loving person. He himself controls the depth of germination of his own root system. If you plant a plant at a great depth, then after a while, the snowdrop will release another bulb, but already at the depth necessary for it.

The first spring peduncle prefers darkened, but well-heated by the sun places and soil with excellent drainage. If you decide to transplant a wild plant, then you should choose a well-lit area. This ornamental plant is incredibly winter-hardy and this is not surprising, since it starts to break straight out of the snow. In autumn, it is recommended to cover the glans with a layer of loose compost.

growing at home

As for top dressing, snowdrops are extremely demanding on them. They do not tolerate fresh manure very well, so the best option for their fertilizer there will be mineral additives.

These ornamental plants are bred for flower decoration of land plots. There is a category of landscape designers who use galanthus to create snow-white lawns among lawns.

Home care

It is worth noting that this plant can be planted not only on the street, but also at home in ordinary pots or bowls. Galanthus, which blooms the very first among all the bulbs, can give buds in the middle of winter. To do this, it is enough to take the indoor snowdrop out of the room.

A story about a snowdrop for children from the Red Book

Snowdrop Message for Grade 3

Snowdrop is the earliest small-bulbous plant. It's extraordinary tender plants with a small white bell head, low stem and long narrow green leaves. The scent of snowdrop is very subtle and light.

Why is the snowdrop called that? The snowdrop got its name because it grows from under the snow - "under-snow-nick". This small plant can withstand even a big ten-degree frost.

And the scientific name of the flower is “galanthus”, which means milk drop. The petals are like drops, and the color is white, like milk. With the onset of darkness, the snowdrop flower closes and becomes very, very similar to a drop of milk.

The snowdrop has only two narrow leaves near the short stem.

Snowdrop is a forest flower. This beautiful and delicate flower grows from a small bulb. This bulb contains the nutrients accumulated over the summer and autumn.

Snowdrop legend

An old Russian legend tells that once the old woman Zima with her companions Frost and Wind decided not to let the beautiful Spring on the earth. But the brave Snowdrop straightened up, spread its petals and asked for protection from the Sun. The sun noticed the Snowdrop, warmed the earth and opened the way for Spring.

Why is the snowdrop listed in the Red Book?

Snowdrops bloom first, so people tear them without sparing, some for themselves, and some for sale. They pluck in armfuls, pulling out along with the bulbs, trampling densely growing flowers. To preserve this type of flowers, scientists have listed it in the Red Book. Snowdrops plucked in the forest are prohibited for sale, violators face a fine.

In England, snowdrops are very popular flowers, and the attitude towards them is very reverent. It is believed that this is due to an old English belief, which says that snowdrops planted around the house will save its residents from evil spirits. They adorn many city flower beds, and their cultivation in the United Kingdom is given as much attention as, for example, the cultivation of tulips in Holland.

The Latin name for the snowdrop is "Galanthus" or "milky flower". This plant has been known since the 1st millennium, in the Middle Ages it was revered as a symbol of purity, and began to be grown everywhere in the 19th century. Today, snowdrops grow in many areas. globe, there are about 20 species in total, but almost all of them are listed in the Red Book. The most popular species is the snow-white snowdrop, and there are also Greek, Byzantine, Caucasian ... All of them differ in shape and color, and even in aroma.

AT different countries this flower is called by different names. The British call it a snow drop or snow earring, the Czechs call it a snowflake, the Germans call it a snow bell, and we call it a snowdrop.

The Russian name is associated with the ability of this spring plant to break through the snow and bloom literally with the first warm rays of the sun. Interestingly, each area has its own name for the snowdrop - those flowers that bloom first in a given area and are called snowdrops. For example, in the Nizhny Novgorod region, a snowdrop is called a dream-grass or, in another way, an open backache. In Russia, snowdrops grow mainly in foothill and mountain forests and in high mountain meadows.

snowdrop legends

The very fact that this beautiful spring creation of nature is hiding under the snow already makes the image of a snowdrop mysterious, mysterious and beautiful. Therefore, it is quite natural that he often became the hero of various legends and fairy tales. For example, one ancient legend says that when Adam and Eve were expelled from paradise, it was snowing. Eva froze and began to cry, remembering the warm gardens of Eden. To comfort her, God turned some of the snowflakes into snowdrop flowers. Seeing the flowers, Eva cheered up and she had hope for the best.

According to another legend, the goddess Flora handed out costumes for the carnival to flowers and presented a snowdrop White dress. But the snow also wanted to participate in the carnival, although he was not supposed to wear a costume. Then he began to ask the flowers to help him, but they were afraid of the cold and did not agree, and only the snowdrop covered him with his white cloak. Together they circled in a round dance of flowers and imbued each other with such sympathy that they are inseparable to this day.

There was a legend in Russia that once Winter the Old Woman with her companions Frost and Wind decided not to let Spring come to earth. All the flowers were afraid of her threats, except for the snowdrop, which straightened its stalk and was able to get out from under the snow cover. The Sun saw its petals and warmed the earth with warmth, opening the way for Spring.

Cruel love…

Unfortunately, today the snowdrop has become a victim of precisely “human love”. These flowers are beautiful, but only in nature, because plucked they live only a couple of days.

Due to the fault of people who barbarously "collect" snowdrops, there are fewer and fewer of them on Earth every year. Not so long ago, they grew everywhere, but were subjected to mass destruction. People tore not only the flowers themselves, but also dug up the bulbs of plants. That is why at present most of the species of snowdrops are listed in the Red Book as an endangered species, they cannot be collected.

Ecologists advocate tougher measures in relation to the "gatherers" of snowdrops, urge everyone to treat these flowers carefully and carefully, and even on the eve of spring holidays, do not give them to women. But every year, with the onset of spring, snowdrop sellers reappear in the cities, and not only those grown in greenhouse conditions.

So if you feel like buying a bunch of these beautiful flowers, remember that by buying them you are encouraging poachers to harvest even more in the coming years.

Give up this little pleasure, thereby helping to save wildlife. So that our descendants have the opportunity to see this miracle of nature live, and not from the picture.

In early spring, a small plant with two narrow leaves and one white flower appears on the thawed patches. This magnificent decoration and the joy of a still winter cold and inhospitable forest is called a snowdrop. Snowdrops are perennial bulbous plants. There are as many as a hundred species of these unique plants on the planet. In Russia, snowdrops grow in the western foothills of the Transcaucasus and in the Crimea.

The consolation of the sinner Eve

Mankind believes that the snowdrop appeared on Earth earlier than other flowers. There is an ancient sad and beautiful legend about its appearance. When God drove the first people out of Eden, it was snowing and a cold wind was blowing. Eva was very cold. And so, to brighten up her grief, a few flakes of snow turned into snowdrops, predicting an early spring. According to another version of the same legend, God turned Eve's tears into snowdrops. It is not for nothing that snowdrops are considered a symbol of hope among the people. Therefore, many grow them near their home, and also because it is considered a powerful amulet against evil spirits and the evil eye.

Homer attributed magical properties to the snowdrop. In his immortal work, Homer calls the snowdrop grass Moth. Odysseus received Moli as a gift from the god of trade Hermes and with this help he defended himself from the magic of Circe, the insidious witch.

botanical confusion

If you ask residents of different regions of Russia or Europeans: what is a snowdrop, they will give completely different answers. Someone will describe a golden flower, someone blue, someone white. This comes from the fact that snowdrops are used to calling any early flowers. So, snowdrops are called: Corydalis, Scilla, Primrose.

Even in Russia they call a snowdrop sleep-grass(lumbago). The sleep-grass looks like shaggy purple bells, after opening it turns into a six-pointed star with yellow stamens. The plant got its name from the popular belief that if you get into a clearing with a backache at dusk, you can fall asleep. This fact has not been proven by science, although backache is a poisonous plant.

The snowdrop itself is white. Etymologically, its official name Galanthus are two Greek words for "milk" and "flower", which clearly allude to the shade of the petals. Thus, it turns out that the snowdrop can be safely called a "milky flower". Closing at night, it really becomes like a large milk drop. Interestingly, the Bulgarians call galanthus - bully snowdrop. He raises his large head, still above the snow that has not melted. With a dark gloomy sky, the galanthus shrinks into a milky droplet.

Red Book healer

On the territory of the Crimean peninsula, at an altitude of 300-400 meters, a unique medicinal plant – snowdrop folded. Preparations made from this plant are used to treat ailments. nervous system, various disorders in the work of the musculoskeletal system, as well as Alzheimer's disease, dementia (acquired dementia), poliomyelitis.

The folded snowdrop is listed in the Red Book and is protected by the state. For the collection and sale of these rare flowers, violators will be fined. In addition to the folded snowdrop, 6 more species of these flowers turned out to be in the Red Book of Russia.

All attempts to breed this type of snowdrop indoors have been unsuccessful. On the other hand, the scientific data of the last few years have shown that the population of the folded snowdrop is increasing.

Fragile at first sight

At the first glance at a snowdrop, everyone thinks about how fragile and delicate it is. But this is only at first glance. A snowdrop can easily withstand a frost of ten degrees. At the very base of the flower stalk there is a sheath made of a mass of thin hairs. And the bulbs, which have accumulated nutrients during the warm season, give the flower strength. It happens that after a thaw, frost immediately hits, and the snowdrop flower is covered with ice, it becomes like crystal, but this does not kill the flower. After a thaw, he comes to life again.

Snowdrops protect themselves from rodents and other pests with the help of poison contained in the bulbs. By the way, this poison can be dangerous for humans. In large doses, the poison causes nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and impaired kidney function.

But the ants are not afraid of the snowdrop and even help it to multiply by dragging the seeds through the forest.

dear flower

Snowdrop bulbs can cost hundreds of pounds. A row of snowdrops exude a magnificent aroma.

scary oracle

For the sake of justice, it should be said that not only beautiful positive legends are associated with the snowdrop. According to popular belief in Great Britain, a beautiful flower portends death. This is connected with an old story that tells how a young beauty found her lover dead, and a “milky flower” blossomed nearby.

Name holiday

Despite the complex attitude of the inhabitants of Foggy Albion towards the snowdrop, it was they who established the Day of the Snowdrop in 1984. It is celebrated on April 19th.

Galantophelia

Collecting "dairy flowers" is called such a not very euphonious word. The largest collection of these unique primroses is located in England, in the county of Gloucestershire.

Mastermind of storytellers

With their natural magic, snowdrops have always excited the minds of writers. Most famous works: a fairy tale by G.Kh. Andersen "Snowdrop" and beloved by all Soviet and Russian children "Twelve Months" by Marshak.

To whom to give?

Snowdrops can be given to anyone, with one caveat - you need to give only from a pure heart. The flower is sensitive to pretense and bad intentions.

In general, where these amazing flowers grow, many beautiful legends and incredible beliefs are associated with them. This is natural, because the appearance of a snowdrop symbolizes the victory of the Sun over the Cold, the beginning of a new life, the awakening of nature. In fact, flowers against the background of ice and snow are real magic.