Snowdrops in Edinburgh / LothiansDepicted are the four snowdrops recorded in the region, with a fifth mentioned.

Only the first, Common Snowdrop, having distinctive narrow grey leaves, is likely to be found wild,as the rest are rare escapees, however you may spot them planted in various locations and could even encounter hybrids.

Common Snowdrop - Widespread - Galanthus nivalis

(NB : Queen Olga's Snowdrop - has narrow leaves also, but a green upperside (with grey central band) - rare UK escapee - Galanthus reginae-olgae)

Greater Snowdrop - (Another form has the end/tip pattern only) - Galanthus elwesii

LeavesGreyish & Narrow

4-10(14) mm

Pattern

Flore Pleno (Double)

Broad Greyish Leaves(6-30 mm - some >15mm)

HoodedTips

Pattern

Spathe

Green Snowdrop - Galanthus woronowii

Pleated Snowdrop - Leaves fold down most their length esp when young, with two upfolds (hence ‘pleated’); there are two subspecies with different outer green flower markings (at base, or base and tip, of flower) - Galanthus plicatus

Picture from revolution-snowdrops.co.uk

InfoUpdated : 2018-11-04 – please check you have the latest version!

Contact : David Merrick – facebook.com/meteorquake

Facebook Botany Group for Lothians : facebook.com/groups/lothiansbotany

All items in this Series : paintdrawer.co.uk/nature/edinburgh/downloads.htm

Broad Vivid Green Leaves(8-20 mm)

Pattern

FoldsDown

GreyishLeaves

5-16 mmwide

LightCentralBand

Broad Spathe

SpatheModerate