snowdrops
Galanthus · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (12 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Snowdrops, scientifically known as Galanthus, is a captivating genus of bulbous perennials celebrated for their early spring blooms. Beyond their delicate, bell-shaped white flowers, these plants hold significant medicinal potential. Rich in bioactive alkaloids like galantamine, they offer valuable pharmacological properties, particularly in treating neurological disorders and cognitive decline.
- Family
- Amaryllidaceae
- Native range
- Europe
- Parts used
- Flower
- Common names
- Snowdrop · Snowdrops
- Scientific synonyms
- Erangelia · Acrocorion
Names and Synonyms
Common Names
- snowdrop
- snowdrops
Scientific Names
Accepted name
GalanthusSynonyms
- Erangelia
- Acrocorion
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Chianthemum
- Acrocorion
- Erangelia
- campanilla blanca
German:
- Schneeglöckchen
- Hübsches Februar-Mädchen
- Weiße Jungfrau
- sněženka
- Perce-neige
- Schneeglöckchen
French:
- perce-neige
- perce-neige
Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asparagales, it is classified under the family Amaryllidaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Galanthus.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Asparagales |
| Family | Amaryllidaceae |
| Genus | Galanthus |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
This plant is widely distributed across several regions within the European continent. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing in the landscapes of Great Britain and Ireland. Its presence also extends further north to include the countries of Norway and Sweden. Additionally, the species reaches into Middle Europe, specifically inhabiting the terrain of Austria. Together, these locations define the primary geographical range of the Galanthus.
| Region | Area |
|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain |
| Northern Europe | Ireland |
| Northern Europe | Norway |
| Northern Europe | Sweden |
| Middle Europe | Austria |
| Middle Europe | Belgium |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia |
| Middle Europe | Germany |
| Middle Europe | Hungary |
| Middle Europe | Netherlands |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Plant Parts
Galanthus has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower.
| Plant part | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Flower | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Flower
- Current medicinal chemistry
Chemicals
Galanthus has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include galanthamine, Galanthindole, Haemanthamine, Homolycorine.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| galanthamine | 3 supporting sources | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Galanthindole | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Haemanthamine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Homolycorine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
galanthamine
- Current medicinal chemistry
- Journal of education and health promotion
- International journal of molecular sciences
Galanthindole
- Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
Haemanthamine
- Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
Homolycorine
- Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
Conditions
Galanthus has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Alzheimer's disease, cancer.
| Condition | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer's disease | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cancer | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Alzheimer's disease
- Current medicinal chemistry
Cancer
- Phytotherapy research : PTR
Preparations
Galanthus has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanol extracts.
| Preparation | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Methanol extracts | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Methanol extracts
- Phytotherapy research : PTR