GALANTHUSL. - SNOWDROP
Scientific Description:
Bulbous scapose perennials. Leaves basal, 2, linear, strap-shaped or oblanceolate. Scape erect in flower, decumbent in fruit. Flowers solitary, white, nodding. Spathe of 2 connate valves. Hypanthial tube and corona absent. Perianth segments free; outer 3 acute to subobtuse, spathulate or oblanceolate to narrowly obovate, with a short claw, erecto-patent; inner segments 1/2−3/4 as long as outer segments, emarginate, oblong, spathulate or oblanceolate, cuneate, erect with a green patch around sinus and sometimes also at base of outer surface of each segment. Stamens inserted at base of perianth, shorter than inner segments. Filaments much shorter than anthers. Anthers basifixed, dehiscing only from terminal pore. Style slender, exceeding anthers; stigma capitate. Capsule ellipsoid, subglobose or globose, 3-valved. Seeds light brown, strophiolate.
Reference:
Brickell CD (1984). Galanthus L., In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 8: 365.
Public Description:
Galanthus, commonly known as “snowdrop”, grows naturally in Europe and the Middle East, Spain, the Caucasus, Iran, Türkiye, Lebanon and Syria. There are approximately 21 species in the world and 12 species (17 taxa) in Türkiye. The name of snowdrop comes from Greek words, “gála (milk)” and “ánthos (flower)”. The snowdrops meet the spring with their white flowers, yet when the snow begins to melt and almost all the plants are asleep. An active substance in snowdrops is called “galantamine” which is used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
References:
Anonymous 1 (2017). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galanthus,Accessed date: 27.08.2017.
Anonymous 2 (2017). http://www.theplantlist.org/1.1/browse/A/Amaryllidaceae/Galanthus/,Accessed date: 27.08.2017.
Yüzbaşıoğlu İS (2012). Galanthus L., In: Güner, A., Aslan, S., Ekim, T., Vural, M. & Babaç, M.T. (eds.), Türkiye Bitkileri Listesi (Damarlı Bitkiler). Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi ve Flora Araştırmaları Derneği Yayını. İstanbul, pp. 44–45.
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