Thursday 1 March 2018



 Appropriately this is a Spring Snowflake (Leucojum vernum) photographed at the weekend in chilly sunshine. It's probably under snow at the moment.
 At first glance it could be taken for a Snowdrop, the white flowers with the green marking on the tips of the petals are very Galanthus-like. But it's taller and the yellow stamens are unlike Snowdrops. It also resembles the Summer Snowflake (Leucojum aestivum) which confusingly flowers in spring rather than summer despite its name.
 L. aestivum flowers later in spring however- see my entry of 18th. April 2017 concerning its native stronghold in Berkshire where it is known locally as the Lodden Lily. Since the above specimen is in full flower as of late February I assume it is indeed L. vernum.