Galanthus in December 2017

[Rick Goodenough]

Thank you, Anne! Merry Christmas to you as well and to all my SRGC friends! Rick

[Alan_b]

The popular UK drama "Call the Midwife" had a special Christmas episode that was shown on Christmas day in the UK.  Set in the hard winter of 1963, it featured a bunch of snowdrops in the closing minutes of the show.
 

It's an unusual variety, a type derived from Scharlockii as we see the very elongated spathe but without any green marks on the outer petals.  And the spathes don't seem to be split as there is one per flower in the bouquet.  Very odd!   

[Alan_b]

how do you identify galanthus
They all look same to me

Turkey has such a wealth of beautiful and different snowdrop species.  Start with the leaves: colour shape and size.  Then look at the green mark on the inner petals; how extensive is it?  Or take a photograph, post it here and we will tell you what it is.  Your nearest snowdrop might well be Galanthus plicatus subsp. byzantinus, which I think they call the Istanbul Snowdrop in Turkey.  If you want a challenge, see if you can find an autumn-flowering form of this snowdrop; something unknown to botanists but which I have heard rumours of, growing not too far from where you are in Eskişehir.   

[Alan_b]

Thank you, Alan I've already sent a copy of your comment to my friend.
This yellow is probably stable. The friend of mine gave me this as "yellowish snowdrop" and it shows same colour at my place

I would not be surprised if you get a few Private Messages seeking a trade for this snowdrop.  Snowdrops with yellow marks are quite highly sought-after.  Some, like the yellow form of Galanthus nivalis, are not terribly rare but I am not aware of any other yellow form of Galanthus elwesii except for the very odd one I mentioned previously. 

[Alan_b]

An unusual form of Galanthus elwesii with green marks at the base of the outer petals.  Unfortunately it has multiplied only slowly since I found it.

Perhaps I should let somebody else take a turn now?

[Blonde Ingrid]

Today's morning patrol in the bright sunshine.

First, another new one from Andy Byfield and another beauty! G.e. Ladyboy. Very different from some of his others but rightly justifying his place in my 'Big 4' Beauty Spotters! Lovely shape to the outers and fine green markings and a great addition to his range.

Next Ronald Mackenzie looking delightful in the winter sun. A couple of dozen of my yellows are looking as though they will flower soon but it is great RM is the first. A classic but also a stunner and the first of several flowers.

Finally, Godfrey Owen, the first of my Pocs also increasing well.

[Maggi Young]

Hope you have plenty tulips planted in the garden, Ingrid - you're going to need some flowers to enjoy  in the "real" Spring!

[Blonde Ingrid]

Hope you have plenty tulips planted in the garden, Ingrid - you're going to need some flowers to enjoy  in the "real" Spring!

I know Maggs, I added 1500 this year, so there should be around 4000 plus Daffs et al 

[Arda Takan]

Turkey has such a wealth of beautiful and different snowdrop species.  Start with the leaves: colour shape and size.  Then look at the green mark on the inner petals; how extensive is it?  Or take a photograph, post it here and we will tell you what it is.  Your nearest snowdrop might well be Galanthus plicatus subsp. byzantinus, which I think they call the Istanbul Snowdrop in Turkey.  If you want a challenge, see if you can find an autumn-flowering form of this snowdrop; something unknown to botanists but which I have heard rumours of, growing not too far from where you are in Eskişehir.

Alan thank you so much about your tips. I've never seen galanthus in wild around Eskişehir. The climate here is continental. But Bursa Bolu are very close to Eskişehir yet they have different climate. So I will try my chance

[Alan_b]

Alan thank you so much about your tips. I've never seen galanthus in wild around Eskişehir. The climate here is continental. But Bursa Bolu are very close to Eskişehir yet they have different climate. So I will try my chance

Turkey is home to Galanthus nivalis, Galanthus plicatus, hybrids between the two, Galanthus elwesii, Galanthus alpinus, Galanthus peshmenii, Galanthus woronowii, Galanthus rizehensis, Galanthus krasnoviii, Galanthus trojanus, Galanthus fosteri, Galanthus koenianus and possibly some more species that I have forgotten.  It would be a great shame if you could not find some wild snowdrops to look at within travelling distance of where you live.

An afterthought; if you use Facebook then the Türkiye Florası group sometimes pictures snowdrops and there was a recent photo from the Bursa region of Galanthus plicatus in bud.     

[Alan_b]

Finally, Godfrey Owen, the first of my Pocs also increasing well.

I don't wish to be pedantic but the wonderful thing about 'Godfrey Owen' is that it is a perfect double snowdrop with six outer petals and six inners too.  Pocs are relatively common but 'Godfrey Owen' remains unique, I believe.

[Hannelore]

Here are my first ones for this blooming season. I thought it was G. elwesii but now I read that this species flowers in autumn? So I really don't know what snowdrop it is.

[Alan_b]

Here are my first ones for this blooming season. I thought it was G. elwesii but now I read that this species flowers in autumn? So I really don't know what snowdrop it is.

Galanthus elwesii typically flowers in January and February like most other snowdrops but there are some, possibly a subspecies, that flower in autumn.  The autumn-flowering ones have not been much studied because their native habitat has only recently become known to botanists.

The ones in your photo are indeed Galanthus elwesii.   

[Hannelore]

Thanks!

[Alan_b]

Deceptive doubles:  'Godfrey Owen', a lovely snowdrop with six outer petals making it look very like a poculiform type.



Until you look inside and see that there are six inner petal making it a perfect double with twice the normal number of petals.



- Actually I think I count 7 inner petals but never mind, it's still beautiful.