Pluirín Sneachta
Latin name: Galanthus nivalis
The snowdrop is a perennial flower and among first to make an appearance in the springtime, although some species flower in late autumn and winter. It wakes up after wintry sleep and its white head droops downwards, nodding in the breeze.
Snowdrops
Irish name: Pluirín sneachta Latin name: Galanthus nivalis
©Jenny SeawrightSnowdrops
©Jenny Seawright
©Jenny Seawright
Snowdrops
Irish name: Pluirín sneachta Latin name: Galanthus nivalis
©Jenny Seawright
It has six white petals, three outer ones and three smaller inner ones that are tipped with green.
Look at the photo. Why do you think it’s called a snowdrop? The white petals look like tiny little flakes of snow dropping off the flower.
Just like the daisy, the snowdrop closes its petals at night and opens them again in the morning. Small insects are attracted to the sweet scent of the flower. They help it to pollinate, which allows it to reproduce.
The snowdrop is a solitary flower, which means that only one flower grows on each of the leafless stems. It prefers to grow in shady woodland areas, near streams or other damp areas.
In Irish folklore, it was said to mark the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Although it is very common across Ireland today, the snowdrop originally came from central and eastern Europe.