As late winter subsides and the spring bloomers begin to awaken, you may notice some tiny, white, drooping flower heads poking out of the melting snow. These delicate flowers belong to members of the Galanthus genus and can be found sprinkled throughout the Arboretum. These bulbous herbaceous perennials are native to several Greek islands between Greece and Turkey. Their common name, snowdrop, is in reference to their milky white, bell-shaped flowers that resemble drops of snow.
Three different Galanthus species are found in The Arboretum at Penn State. Galanthus ikariae is the smallest of the group and was first observed on the Greek island of Ikaria. From each bulb sprout two narrow green leaves and a leafless stalk featuring the white flower. They reach only about a half a foot in height and typically bloom in our area in late February to March, depending on season. You can find them in the beds around the Overlook Pavilion.
Galanthus elwesii is slightly larger, earning the name “greater snowdrop,” but only grows to be about a foot tall. It shares the same leaf and flower design, only sometimes featuring a third leaf. The greater snowdrops are located primarily in the Pollinator and Bird Garden but can also be found in the Marsh Meadow around the perimeter beds of the boardwalk.
The largest snowdrop species in the Arboretum is Galanthus woronowii, otherwise known as the giant snowdrop. Not only do they reach a foot in height, but their leaves are also much wider and shinier than the common snowdrop, and they can bloom from January to April, depending on the region and season. Named after Russian plant collector Georg Woronow, the giant snowdrops can be found in both the Overlook Pavilion beds and the Pollinator and Bird Garden.
The flower has traditionally been a symbol of hope, marking the end of winter. Snowdrops have also historically been used to treat headaches and dementia using a compound called galanthamine that is contained in the bulbs.
You can find the locations of these blooms by searching for the common name, Latin name, or genus using The Arboretum Explorer Tool. Be on the lookout for more upcoming posts highlighting our bulbs this season!