Snowdrop
6th February 2012
An iconic species, the delicate white flower of a Snowdrop is instantly recognisable. Although traditionally in flower from February, hence one of its common names 'Fair Maids of February', climate change means this flower can now sometimes be seen as early as January. Spread of sterile, cultivated forms coupled with low levels of insect activity during their flowering period means snowdrops more frequently reproduce by division of bulbs than by seed. Consequently new colonies are primarily formed by the movement of bulbs caused by foraging activity of birds and mammals. Although the snowdrop is considered to be a wild species it was not actually recorded as growing wild in Britain until the 1770’s and there is uncertainty as to its native status.
Latin name: Galanthus nivalis
Population Numbers: Found throughout Europe, in the UK, Wiltshire is one of the best counties in which to see them with localised but widely distributed colonies throughout. They are especially common along the banks of streams, on village greens and road-verges along the river valleys of the Nadder and Ebble.
Where to see and when: Look out for this flower from late January until March. Peppercombe Wood is a well hidden gem among Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s reserves which comes alive in February as the lower slopes and stream banks become blanketed by hundreds of snowdrops, turning the ground white.
What’s being done: Coppicing is carried out when possible in parts of Peppercombe Wood; this involves cutting select trees, particularly hazel, to ground level allowing more sunlight to reach the woodland floor. Such actions enable the balance between light and shade required for many woodland wildflowers including snowdrops to be maintained. The coppiced hazel will re-grow from the stumps.
Other management which maintains native species diversity within the woodland concentrates on non-native species. The wood contains a few non-native trees (grey alder and sycamore) which are being gradually removed in favour of native hazel, alder, ash and holly. The warden, helped by other willing volunteers, keeps a watch on the wood and the stream running through it, and tackles the on-going task of keeping Himalayan balsam under control.
