Yellow snowdrops in Northumberland, UK (1 Viewer)

[level seven]

Last Wednesday I went on a walk in north Northumberland with a botanical group, looking at snowdrops. Never having been to that area before at this time of year, I was very impressed with the huge drifts we found in a couple of woods.

We found several examples of yellow snowdrops, which I'm told are almost unknown in the wild anywhere else in the world. The ovary and marking on the petals, normally green, are yellow in these plants. About 1 plant in 500 is yellow and this ratio is pretty constant in the area. It's not inherited via DNA and the characteristic comes from the female parent.

 

[nirofo]

Last Wednesday I went on a walk in north Northumberland with a botanical group, looking at snowdrops. Never having been to that area before at this time of year, I was very impressed with the huge drifts we found in a couple of woods.

We found several examples of yellow snowdrops, which I'm told are almost unknown in the wild anywhere else in the world. The ovary and marking on the petals, normally green, are yellow in these plants. About 1 plant in 500 is yellow and this ratio is pretty constant in the area. It's not inherited via DNA and the characteristic comes from the female parent.

It could be something to do with the soil they're living in, are there any other plants or trees in the area showing unusual colouration.

nirofo.

 

[level seven]

It could be something to do with the soil they're living in, are there any other plants or trees in the area showing unusual colouration.
nirofo.

No, it's definitely not environmental nirofo.

The botany department at Newcastle University have done some research into this. It's an example of maternal chloroplastic inheritance. When I said the yellow wasn't inherited via DNA I was referring to nuclear DNA. Chloroplasts also contain DNA and many chloroplast DNA genes encode proteins that are involved in photosynthesis.

The explanation we were given was quite technical but I think it's something to do with a different photosynthetic biochemical pathway being involved in the yellow plants and less chlorophyll being produced, resulting from a mutation somewhere along the line.

 

[Brian Bullough]

Interesting post, only knowing the basics of flowers myself, I will have to look out for this type,wonderfull carpet in a nice setting must look even better to the eye.
Brian

 

[scampo]

Fascinating. Certainly I've never seen anything like it before seeing your photo.

 

[mothman]

Never eat yellow snowdrops.

I think that is how the saying goes isn't it?

 

[steve_nova]

There are a number of yellow clones of Galanthus nivalis and they are usually grouped under the name G. n. 'Sandersii' and are one of the most sought after types for Galanthophiles (Snowdrop collectors). I myself, though no collector have a couple of unusual clones of this species in my garden. One has green tips to the outer tepals called G. n. 'Viridapiece'. Some of the people who collect snowdrops are REAL TRAINSPOTTERS!

 

[steve_nova]

Here is a couple of shots from a few weeks ago of said variety in my garden. Taken with phone camera so not the best.

Steve.

 

[level seven]

There are a number of yellow clones of Galanthus nivalis and they are usually grouped under the name G. n. 'Sandersii' and are one of the most sought after types for Galanthophiles (Snowdrop collectors). I myself, though no collector have a couple of unusual clones of this species in my garden. One has green tips to the outer tepals called G. n. 'Viridapiece'. Some of the people who collect snowdrops are REAL TRAINSPOTTERS!

Yes, we were told individual bulbs can cost several pounds. I'm not sure if collecting these plants from the wild is a problem, but I was vague about the location just in case.

 

[steve_nova]

Have a look at the price of some of them at Broadleigh Bulbs, and thats per individual bulb!

Steve.

 

[steve_nova]

Heres a direct link: http://www.broadleighbulbs.co.uk/misc/1/galanthusorder.htm

Its no wonder that there are now gangs who raid the countryside etc. specialising in pinching snowdrops to sell on!


Steve.

 

[Brian Bullough]

Yes, we were told individual bulbs can cost several pounds. I'm not sure if collecting these plants from the wild is a problem, but I was vague about the location just in case.

Yes that was one of the reasons I did not ask for location,as much as I would like to have seen them,it's dificult to inform others without giving to much away,but at least you have made others interested aware of there being a variation, I for one was unaware of this and found it very interesting.
Brian