Galanthus nivalis

Today's the day ......................... to hope

A much more peaceful day today after the recent ravages - and temperatures that were the good side of zero.

This surely has been a wonderful year for snowdrops which are still in their prime - and in the sort of environment that you would think gave them their name back in the mists of time.  Although they are often thought of as a British native wild flower, or to have been brought to the British Isles by the Romans, they were probably introduced around the early 16th century.  

The active substance in snowdrop, called galanthamine, can be helpful in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, though it is not a cure.  In the language of flowers, the Snowdrop is synonymous with 'hope' as it blooms very early in the year and so is seen as heralding the new spring and more clement weather.

We can but hope .....................