Galanthus

Today's the day ............................. for folklore and legend

Don't you just love snowdrops? They have to be one of the most favourite of flowers - probably because they are often the first to show themselves in the garden. Snow might still be on the ground, but the diminutive and fragile-looking tiny white buds, can survive the cold and bring cheer to our hearts.

The first sight of snowdrops growing wild represents the passing of sorrow. In various religions, they are a sign from the gods that good times will come once more.

They have their use in medicine too. The alkaloid Galantamine, which was first isolated from snowdrops, has been used to treat Alzheimer's disease, neuritis and neuralgia. In parts of eastern Europe, rubbing snowdrops on the forehead was at one time a folk remedy used as pain relief.

A timely word of warning though - it is particularly unlucky to bring snowdrops, or Candlemas bells, into the house on 2nd of February, which is Candlemas. Oh - and if you wish to be married within the year, you should not bring them into the house on Valentine's Day, 14th February.....................