Look Out for Snowdrops in the Touraine Loire Valley

Galanthus nivalis, commonly known as the Snowdrop (Fr. perce-neige, which translates as 'snow piercer') is one of those plants that people look forward to seeing, and it has many folkloric associations. The scientific name translates as 'milk flower of the snow'. The English name probably comes from a German word 'schneetropfen', which is the name of the teardrop shaped pearl earrings popular at the time snowdrops were introduced to Britain, in the 16th century.

It is native to central and southern Europe, from the Black Sea to western France. The natural northern distribution limit is debatable, because there has been so much cultivation and naturalisation, but it's probably southern Belgium.

In France it is classed as rather rare in the West, Centre (Loire Valley) and Pyrénées. Elsewhere it is rare, or naturalised, especially in the East. The flowers appear in early spring, no matter what the temperature. Thanks to the natural 'anti-freeze' in the plants they can withstand frost and snow, and push through regardless. Snowdrops can flower as early as December and as late as May, but generally flowering will be around Candlemas (Fr. Chandeleur) in early February up until the vernal equinox in March. Snowdrops are threatened in their natural habitats due to habitat destruction, illegal collecting and climate change.

When it's sunny the flowers open and the interior reflects ultraviolet light, alerting the few early emerging pollinators. Along with hazel and willow catkins, they are the most important source of pollen (food) for early flying solitary bees. You can find them on the edges of cool damp woods or sometimes open grasslands with nitrogen rich soil. I often find them in ditches.

The species is widely cultivated, and there are many varieties as well as other species. The bulbs have been known since antiquity as both toxins and antidotes.

Symbolically the plant is associated with heralding spring and hope, as well as purification and the Christian festival of Candlemas. Conversely it is also associated with sorrow, and considered a harbinger of death, possibly because it was widely planted in cemeteries. Some people are superstitious about bringing the flowers inside for this reason.

Snowdropping, by the way, is Australian slang for stealing women's underwear off clotheslines.