What is Galanthus?

Galanthus , commonly called snowdrop, is a genus of about 20 species of flowering plants cultivated from a bulb. He belongs to the Amaryllis family, along with lilies and daffodils. The name galanthus is Latin for "milk-white flowers" because all plant species have white flowers. Snowdrops come from most of Europe and Western Asia and were naturalized above an even wider area, including parts of the United States and Canada. However, many plants are in nature threatened and in most countries it is illegal to collect Galanthus bulbs from the wilderness. White flower lacks petals, but has three internal and three external beats or segments, similar to petals. The inner ones are much shorter in most species and usually consist of green. Flowers commonly grow over large spots of soil in the wild.

Galanthus is grown from a bulb or seeds and all species are permanent. Most types of flower at the end of winter to early spring, but some bloom in early spring or late autumnu. There are many different hybrids and cultivars of snowdrop, including double flowering varieties. In the UK are popular large snow gardens where flowers are celebrated as a sign of spring. Although snow snow was considered natives from England or were introduced by the Romans to the British Isles, it is now assumed that flowers have not reached the British shores until the 16th century.

The most widespread and famous types galanthus is g. Nivalis . It has many cultivars, some dating from the 19th century. Collectors Galanthus are known as Galanthofily, the term created in the 19th century and the names of many types of galanthus , hybrids, and cultivars commemorate the early snow collectors.

In addition to its ornamental uses, snowdrop can be used to treat Alzheimer's disease, although it is not a medicine. Alkaloid galantamine, obtained from the bulbs g. Woronowii and closely related species can help alleviate the symptoms of mild to middle Alzheimer's disease and vasclesRNNI dementia. Some people also use it as a food supplement to support clear dreams or from physical experience. In the past, galantamine was also used to treat polio and central nervous system disorders. Commercial names for galantamine include Nivalin®, Razadyne® and Reminyl®.