Snowdrop
The Common Snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis, is the best-known representative of a small group of Amaryllids[?], all the species of which have bulbs, linear leaves, and erect flowering stalks, destitute of leaves but bearing at the top a solitary pendulous bell-shaped flower. This species grows 15cm tall, flowering in January or February in the northern temperate zone. The white flower has six petals, the outer three segments being larger and more convex than the inner series. The six anthers open by pores or short slits. The ovary is three-celled, ripening into a three-celled capsule. (Snowdrops should not be confused with their relatives Snowflakes, Leucojum species; Leucojums are much larger and flower in summer, with all six petals in the flower the same size.)
Propagation is by offsets removed when the plants are at rest, immediately after the leaves have withered; or by seeds sown either when ripe, or in spring. There are numerous cultivated varieties, different in the size of the flower and the period of flowering; the double form is probably the least attractive.
Other notable species:
- the Crimean snowdrop, G. plicatus, 30 cm tall, flowering January/February, white flowers, with broad leaves folded like a fan
- G. elwesii, a native of the Levant, 23 cm tall, Flowering January/February, with large flowers, the three inner segments of which have a much larger and more conspicuous green blotch than the more common kinds. All the species are very graceful, and as universal favourites amply repay cultivation.
original text taken from a 1910 gardening encyclopedia, and an 1887 volume of a famous encyclopedia Minor copyediting changes made
The snowdrop is the flower for January.
Bonner; the
with the old lady. 'To make up for lost time in Catholic Portugal!' she
the inmates of Beckley Court being at breakfast, Rose gave a lead to the
you. Now, answer honestly, we're all friends. Why did you refuse all
are not married. Well, I think that's the wisest, after all. You don't
alter her mind for somebody, if she knew his value?'
'I was presuming to hope there might be a place vacant among the twenty,'
from? A young man.html">man.html">man who'll let himself go for small coin's a jewel worth
a dreary expression.
'Aunt Bel spoke to Mr. Harrington,' said Rose, pettishly.
'Asked him where he came from,' Laxley continued his drawl. 'He didn't
Ferdinand Laxley to the fact that he had lost a particular bet made among
Laxley to Evan, and then to Drummond. Laxley appeared pleased as a man
replied to the mute appeal of Rose, by saying:
'Yes; we've all lost. But who could hit it? The lady admits no
dispute. Let him who guessed "Latin" pocket the stakes, and, if I guess
which one it was.'
'Not you, my dear. You guessed "temper."'
'No! you dreadful Aunt Bel!'
'Let me see,' said Aunt Bel, seriously. 'A young man would not marry.
On
wordlookup.net
All is still licensed under the GNU FDL.
It uses material from the wikipedia.
|
|