Growing to 20 cm in height, Galanthus plicatus is larger than the common Snowdrop (G. nivalis). Its foliage is broader and characterised by the plication (folding under) of the leaf margin when young. It is this folding and the residual ‘fold lines’ on the mature leaves that give the plant its name: ‘plicatus’ which means ‘pleated’.

Galanthus nivalis.

Good quality photographs of whole plant, the flowers and the leaves are required.  An indication of size would also be helpful.

Deciduous woodland, hedgerows, roadsides, churchyards, cemeteries and parkland.  It may also be found as an escape from garden cultivation and often close to habitation.

Flowering around January or February but this may vary from one year to another.

A bulbous perennial herb.

Widespread, particularly in the southern half of Britain, but not nearly as frequent as our common Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis).

Rarely recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.