By: Blonde Two

I noticed a bit of a chill in the air yesterday.  I say noticed but all of my hours of daylight were spent inside (this is most definitely a waste of good, crisp air).  I still stand however, by my notion that spring is on its way and I still intend to go on a (well wrapped up) Snowdrop Hunt this weekend.

Snowdrops Lustleigh

As every hunter knows (I am not sure that I have ever spoken to any actual, real-life hunters), in order to catch your prey, it is important to understand it.  So I have done some research, here is what I found out:

Name:  Common Snowdrop – Galanthus Nivalis (literally “growing in or under snow”).

Reproduction: (sorry to be uncouth) – bulb division.

Habitats:  Broadleaf forest including Oak and Beech – (show’s good taste).

Fans:  Galanthophiles (can be dangerous).

Varieties:  Blewberry Tart (double), Atkinsii (interesting), Magnet (care with compass).

Cost:  Most expensive bulb sold – G. Green Tear (£360 for a single bulb on ebay).

AKA:  Snow Piercers – (watch this time-lapse http://ow.ly/t7JAn)

Symbol:  Of hope, linked to Adam and Eve’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden.

On Dartmoor:  Have suspect sightings at Lustleigh, Parke and Sampford Spinney.

Armed with all of this knowledge and a sister who is a bit of a plant expert, I am sure to be successful.  So if you see a couple of ladies dressed in white, wearing funny green caps (for camouflage purpose), carrying butterfly nets and be-toed in white wellies,  You know that you will have stumbled upon our eager Snowdrop Hunt.  Join in or laugh – I won’t care!