Cenhinen pedr

Kingdom: Plantae

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Genus: Narcissus

While the snowdrop signals the end of winter, the daffodil is the beginning of spring. As someone who is half-Welsh, the daffodil has been prevalent throughout my childhood, as the daffodil is the national flower of Wales, and it translates to Cenhenin pedr in the Welsh language. It is traditional to wear a daffodil on Saint David's Day, March 1st, and a Welsh myth claims that if you spot the first daffodil of the season, your next 12 months will be filled with wealth. Clearly I need to keep a better eye out, as that student budget is still hitting me hard. Daffodils grow perennially from bulbs, often in large clusters, brightening up the countryside with their bright, yellow, sunny colour. The plants have a single central leafless hollow flower stem, with several green strap-shaped leaves arising from the bulb. Closest to the stem is a floral tube above the ovary, then an outer ring of six tepals, which may hang down or be erect.

The daffodil has many myths surrounding it, with different symbolisms in different times and cultures. It is also known as Narcissus, which is a Classical Greek name in honour of a beautiful youth who became so entranced by his own reflection that he pined away and the gods transformed him into this flower. The Romans cultivated them, and then they were forgotten until 1600. Around 1629, Englishmen reintroduced it to gardens because their sap was thought to have healing flowers. However, it actually contains crystals which can irritate the skin - hardly what I would call healing. Due to their long association with Lent, they are known as the "Lent Lily", and symbolise happiness as a gift, although they must be given as a bunch as one on their own can foretell misfortune. It is also the 10th wedding anniversary flower. Lots of meanings!

Daffodils are known as the flowers of March, and usually bloom between March and late April, meaning they are early in mid-February this year. Phenology describes the timing of critical events, such as when flowers bloom, birds migrate or trees shed their leaves. These processes are closely linked to environmental conditions, including temperature. Therefore, the increase in the Earth's climate is having effects on the life cycles of various plants including the daffodil, which consequently affects its fitness. For example, earlier flowering means that they are more exposed to frost conditions which has knock-on effects for seed production. It also leads to mismatches with pollinators, meaning less pollination takes place. Therefore, the daffodils this year at UEA may be exposed to tricky conditions in the next couple of weeks.

Snowdropping? Maybe not...

Kingdom: Plantae

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Species: Galanthus nivalis

I always feel a sudden burst of joy when I see snowdrops, as it means the cold weather is finally on its way out. It's not long until everywhere is bursting with life and colour, and I can venture out to my 9am lectures without having to wear three extra layers to prevent me freezing to death. Those small, white flowers are a symbol of consolation, hope, purity and cleansing, and most importantly (for me), a signal for the end of Winter. Snowdrops are perennial plants native to large parts of Europe, most commonly found in woodlands, parks and gardens (anywhere with some open areas of grass really – which UEA has plenty of). They flower in February and March, meaning that they are one of the few flowers that are present when snow is still on the ground, as it has been this week! Interestingly enough, I took these pictures on February 2nd, and there is an old proverb saying “The snowdrop in purest white array, first rears her head on Candlemas Day” - which is February 2nd! Weird!

Early flowering is aided by hardened leaf tips which can push through the frozen soil. They are therefore the earliest flowering bulb, with 20 species known. Those keen or even obsessed with collecting snowdrops are called galanthophiles (I like snowdrops as much as the next person, but I wouldn’t go that far!). This is not to be confused with snowdropping, which is a slang term originating from Australian prisons which describes stealing clothes from other people’s washing lines, as prisoners would do if they needed a quick change of appearance. But anyway, this is off-topic….

Snowdrops are 2.7 to 12 inches in height, with a single milk-white flower hanging loosely in a bell-like shape, with a sweet, pleasant odour, not dissimilar to honey. The three inner petals have green tips and overlap the outer petals to form a tube. The best way to grow snowdrops is to lift a group every second year (as they live for two years in the wild) as the leaves start to yellow in late spring, split all the bulbs and then plant them separately with a pinch of bonemeal in the hole.

They are pollinated by bees in February and March, but cross-pollination is rare due to the cold winter weather and therefore most plants are sterile. Therefore these little drops of snow spread mainly through bulb division. Those that are not sterile produce miniature, white seeds which attract ants which they collect and transfer in underground tunnels.

Uses:

A substance called galanthamine can be isolated from snowdrops, which can be used for treating Alzheimer’s under the name of Reminyl through improving working of certain receptors in the brain, and can be used to improve sleep.

It has ornamental value because of its delicate beauty, with millions being sold each year.

Snowdrop lectin is an effective insecticide and can be used against pests such as beetles, butterflies and moths and aphids. There is potential for research into using this substance in GM crops to increase resistance in crops such as tomatoes and tobacco to increase their resistance to insect pests.

Snowdrop lectin is being studied to assess its potential in acting against HIV.

Snowdrops contain their own anti-freeze proteins – they were harvested during the First World War to make anti-freeze for tanks

London Planes (not only found in Gatwick...)

Kingdom: Plantae

Family: Platanaceae

Species: Platanus x acerifolia

Otherwise known as the London plane, Platanus x acerfolia is thought to be a hybrid of the Platanus orientalis (oriental plane) and Platanus occidentalis (American sycamore). This hybridisation took place in the 17th century, either in Spain or in Vauxhall Gardens in London, when P. orientalis and P. occidentalis were planted in proximity to each other. For a long time after its creation, the reason for how it was created remained a mystery, but the hybridisation is now a well acknowledged fact.

The hybrid is fertile and seedlings are occasionally found near mature trees.

Fun fact: The London plane was one of the 50 Great British Trees the The Tree Council selected in 2002 in honour of Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee.

While it is visually very similar to the American sycamore, the London plane gets its name because it is planted almost exclusively in urban areas, whereas the American sycamore is found more commonly in lowlands and along streams. This is due to the species' tolerance to atmospheric pollution and root compaction, meaning it is suitable for urban roadsides. it also has high tolerance to winter conditions, and is wind-resistant. It is also tolerant (lots of tolerance here) to warm weather, making it a popular choice as a shade tree in Australia.

The London plane is a large deciduous tree which usually grows up to 20-30 m tall. It has a pale grey-green bark, smooth and exfoliating, with a camouflage pattern. Its leaves (when it actually has them) are large, thick and stiff-textured, and are palmately lobed with 3 to 5 main lobes, with the central lobe being the longest. They can cause a disposal problem in cities as they can sometimes take over a year to be broken down if they remain whole. The fruits are especially distinctive, which comprise a spherical cluster of achenes, with numerous stiff hairs which aid wind dispersal. The cluster slowly breaks down over the winter to release the numerous seeds. These can cause problems in urban use, as the short, stiff hairs are an irritant and can cause problems asthma sufferers.

London planes are often pruned by a technique called pollarding. Pollarding involves the removal of the upper branches of the tree, promoting a dense head of foliage and branches. This results in the tree being much shorter with stunted, club-like branches. This creates the shape that is sought after in urban areas such as main streets and plazas. Personally I think it looks a bit like a poorly decorated dead Christmas tree in Winter, but lets see how it looks in summer to see if there is any improvement.