Snowdrops, Galanthus species, Flowers from Lombardy France

Snowdrops Flower is yet another flower impossible to grow in southern part of India . The remote possibility of finding them would be in the regions that are cold all twelve months of the year. When I toured Europe I chanced such wonderful varieties of flowers which are so difficult to grow in Bangalore, especially in my teeny weeny balcony garden.

This post is on the Snowdrops Flowers I saw in Normandy region of France. At the sight of this single stalk of bells, I went on my knees. They are tiny, measuring a centimetre, with a gentle breeze blowing; it was a challenge to frame them well. After so many settings I got them standing still in my frame.

Snowdrops, Galanthus species, Flowers from Lombardy France

Snowdrops Galanthus species Flowers

This is the first flower to bloom at the end of winter and the beginning of spring. These flowers symbolize hope.

Blooming months of Snowdrops Galanthus species Flowers are February to March, but I spotted them in April. May be they are the last ones to bloom. Usually these flowers grace the gardens after winters when most other flower species are still dormant.

The leaves of snowdrops were green in color, shaped long and slender. They resembled blades of grass. 

You may find this interesting: My Top 5 Aromatic Journeys

Legends and Myths of Snowdrops Flower

There are some legends associated with these flowers.

According to Moldovan legend (Moldova is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe):

during a fight between Lady Spring and Winter Witch, Lady Spring cuts her finger. The drop of blood from Lady Spring’s finger melted the snow and a snowdrop flower grew. The pure white flower is a sign of Lady Spring’s victory over the Winter Witch.

snowdrops flower

A German legend which goes way back in times of origin of our world goes like this:

Snow didn’t have a color and desperately pleaded for colors from different flowers. None but Snowdrops Flower obliged and gave it the white color. Others felt snow was too cold and unpleasant. As a return gift winter snow allows Snowdrops Flower to bloom and offers it protection from the harshness of cold weather. Snow and Snowdrops flower exist side by side.

See another teeny-weeny flower – Purple Grape Hyacinth from Amsterdam

Snowdrops Flower Interesting Facts

  • Snowdrops are the official flower for January birthdays.
  • There are 75 different types of Snowdrops Flower; all are white.
  • In some countries it is illegal to pluck wildflowers, you can be fined. Photograph them as many times as you want.
  • Fragrance of snowdrops is not particularly strong. In perfumery, the essence of Snowdrop adds a freshness and coolness.
  • Snowdrops are poisonous due to alkaloid compounds, which are concentrated in their bulbs. Two alkaloids found in snowdrops are: Lycorine and Galantamine. Both are also found in daffodils.

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