Galanthus platyphyllus

Galanthus platyphyllus is closely related to G. krasnovii and newly-discovered G. panjutinii. It shares elongated bulbs with this G. krasnovii, and even more unusually, a yellow colour of the bulbs. Leaves have supervolute verniation, like those of related species. Galanthus platyphyllus derives from the high mountains of the Caucasus, where it will grow at heights from 2000 up to 2700m (1, 2). The name platyphyllus is roughly translated from Latin as broadleaved. The species has leaves of up to 6cm  wide, broader than any other Galanthus species. Its habitat included subalpine to alpine zones, where it can be found in grasslands and meadows often near melting snow and short lived water bodies (2). Flower scapes reach a size of 10-20cm. It has the latest-flowering period of any Galanthus in the wild, from April up to July, sometimes up to August. As it is often said that the snowdrop season might take from September to April, this species might extend the snowdrop season the rest of the year.
In cultivation, the plant is also late, but it unfortunately only occurs in few specialist collections. Cultivation methods and propagation techniques still need to be established, but most likely open, cool, moist conditions are required (3). In cultivation, it is said to flower from March to April. 

  1. Gail Harland. Snowdrop. 2016 Reaktion Books.
  2. Davis 1999. Galanthus platyphyllus. Read on CITES Bulbs.
  3. Freda Cox. Gardener’s guide to snowdrops. Crowood 2013.

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