Galanthus aka Snowdrop

Galanthus, also known as snowdrop, is a small genus of perennial herbaceous plants in the family Amaryllidaceae. With approximately 20 species, these bulbous plants have two linear leaves and a single drooping bell-shaped flower. The flower consists of six petal-like tepals in two circles, with the smaller inner petals marked with green. Snowdrops have been known by various names since ancient times, but were officially named Galanthus in 1753. Attempts to categorize the species based on leaf pattern have proven unreliable, and molecular phylogenetics has identified seven distinct clades corresponding to the species' distribution. New species are still being discovered. Most snowdrop species flower in winter, although some bloom in early spring or late autumn. It is important to note that snowdrops are sometimes mistaken for similar plants in the Galantheae tribe, such as snowflakes. Galanthus nivalis, one of the species in the genus, grows up to 20cm tall and produces grey-green lance-shaped leaves. In late winter, it produces solitary, nodding white flowers that are often double, with whorls of small petals in the center. The outer petals may have light green markings at the tips. Galanthus nivalis generally flowers between January and April in the northern temperate zone. These perennial plants grow from bulbs and each bulb typically produces two narrow leaves and an erect flowering stalk. The stalk bears a pair of bract-like spathe valves joined by a papery membrane, from which a solitary bell-shaped white flower emerges. The flower has six tepals, with the outer three being larger and more convex than the inner ones. The outer surface of the inner tepals is usually marked with a green or greenish-yellow V- or U-shaped mark, while the inner surface may have a faint green mark covering it. Occasionally, green markings can also be found on the outer surface of the outer tepals. The plant's anthers open through pores or short slits, and the ovary ripens into a three-celled capsule. Each seed has a fleshy tail containing substances attractive to ants, which aid in seed distribution. The leaves of Galanthus nivalis wither a few weeks after the flowers fade. While cross-pollination is the usual method of reproduction, self-pollination can occur, with bees serving as the primary pollinators.