Galanthus peshmenii is an autumn-flowering species, generally found in the eastern Aegean sea on the island Kastellorizo and western Turkey, in north-facing cliffs and rocks, often quite close to the sea. It occurs at heights from sea level to 1000m. The species is likely related to G. cilicicus. In cultivation, flowers in October-November with small flower scapes of about 9-12,5cm. Flowering occurs from October to December in the wild. Leaves are absent or short (2-3cm) at flowering. It was first described in 1994, and named after Turkish botanist Hasan Peshmen, who died in a car crash. Hasen Peshmen also found the species in small pockets near Antalya (western Turkey) in 1978 (2, 3). It usually flowers without the leaves present. The leaves display applanate verniation and have a gray median stripe, like G. reginae-olgae. The plant likes shade and generally grows in leaf mould of deciduous trees. In culture in northern Europe, it is thought to need protection from the cold and wetness and generally grown under cold glass.
G. peshmenii is not particularly rare in cultivation, but is however said to be challenging to cultivate. It is generally grown under glass and dislikes wet conditions (2), it is unlikely to be hardy in the western European climate (3).
- Gail Harland. Snowdrop. Reaktion Books 2016.
- Freda Cox. Gardener’s guide to snowdrops. Crowood.
- Galanthus peshmenii. Galanthus wild species. CITES Bulbs.
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