Plants of the genus Snowdrop are primroses. This fact largely determined the vulnerability of certain species. They are listed in the Red Books of several countries at once and have protected status. One of them is folded snowdrop, widespread in the Crimea, Romania and Moldova. It grows in mountainous areas, at the edges and in bushes. The plant is not currently considered to be endangered, but preventive measures should always be remembered. Preserving natural diversity is still easier than trying to restore what was lost.
Folded snowdrop: description
The plant belongs to the Amaryllis family. This is a perennial bulbous ephemeroid up to 25-30 cm high, which is cryptophyte. The bulb is small (up to 3-4 cm in length and 2-2.8 cm in diameter), with light scales. Leaves of a linear structure, dark green with a bluish tint, folded, with the edges folded down. It is noteworthy that during flowering they are almost 2 times shorter than the peduncle and have a waxy coating, which is then replaced by a greasy sheen.
Flowering occurs in March-June, depending on the region. The peduncle is cylindrical in shape, up to 30 cm high. The perianth petals are spoon-shaped, 2.5-3 cm long. The flowers have a characteristic rich aroma. The snowdrop folded by seeds and division of the bulb propagates.
Habitat
On the territory of Russia it is found in the Novorossiysk region of the Krasnodar Territory (the southern slope of the north-west of the Main Caucasian Range). It grows in purely hornbeam or mixed with beech forests at an altitude of 100-500 meters above sea level. Outside the range, it occurs in solitary specimens or in small localizations. The populations are stable and are represented by plants of all age states of seed or vegetative origin. Folded snowdrop grows in the Crimea, in the mountainous regions: from Balaklava to Koktebel, in deciduous foxes, on fertile brown soils.
Limiting factors
The negative dynamics of the population of this rare species is mainly associated with anthropogenic impact on the place of growth. As a rule, the main reason lies in the massive collection of the aerial parts and the whole plant for the purpose of further sale. Of the concomitant limiting factors that limit folded snowdrops, it should be noted the uncontrolled and unlimited grazing of livestock in the places of growth, as well as deforestation, destruction of the plant’s natural environment.
Species conservation measures
Almost all representatives of the genus are rare and endangered species; to a certain extent, the snowdrop is also folded. The Red Book defines its status as "least worrisome." However, as practice shows, from this category it is very easy to switch to another - “endangered species”. Therefore, certain steps are being taken, including administrative fines for collecting plants. Of the necessary measures, experts recommend completely banning the collection of flowers, search for new places of species growth, carry out regular monitoring of the population in order to control it and raise the status of the Abraussky Reserve from the regional to the federal level.
In order for folded snowdrop to be less destroyed in the natural environment, measures should be taken for its artificial cultivation in botanical gardens and greenhouses for commercial purposes. The species is positioned as promising for long-term cultivation and is suitable for cultivation in shady gardens. In European gardens, it is already widely used and has about a dozen garden forms.
Garden cultivation
The decorative value of the primrose is represented by drooping snow-white flowers with a strong aroma. The flowering period lasts an average of 20-25 days, the duration is largely determined by the saturation of the soil with moisture and air temperature. This species was introduced into the culture in 1592, and since then more than ten garden forms have been bred. One of the most famous is Vargam, which has terry petals, a kind of military trophy of English troops after the Crimean War. Or, for example, the Diggory variety presented in the photo above.
In order for the plant to develop and grow, it is necessary to provide it with fertile soil with a neutral reaction of the environment and the addition of leaf humus, as well as the necessary level of humidity. With a little snowy winter, additional spring watering is required for plentiful flowering.