Plant species

common snowdrop Galanthus nivalis

Amaryllidaceae

Species information

Description

A spring bulb or corm plant with parallel-veined leaves and conspicuous flowers on short to medium-length stems. Two narrow blue-green leaves accompany a nodding white flower with three longer outer tepals. An early spring bulbous geophyte of moist woodland and meadows, often flowering at the end of winter.

Plant traits

Growth form

geophyte / forb

Life cycle

perennial

Height

10–25 cm

Typical season

Active growth

Flowering

Fruiting

Timing varies with site and year.

Habitat conditions

Habitat

forest · forest edge · mesic grasslands

Light

partial shade

Moisture

mesic · moist

Soil

base-rich · neutral

Substrate

indifferent

Pollination

insect pollination

Status

native

Interesting facts

The small green markings on the inner flower segments can help distinguish snowdrops from similar early bulbs.