Awakening last the sun has taken courage, giving us a beautiful weekend that is already dreaming about spring!
Nature does not let himself lose the opportunity to take advantage of these first warm days and sent ahead his avant-garde, making the first flowers bloom after the winter break!
In shady, moist areas of the forest flourishes because the snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis):
'Galanthus' in greek means 'milk flower'; nivalis is related to color, as white as snow, is the fact that blooms so early that it often happens that cues from under the snow.
What allows the snowdrops to bloom so early is its bulb, which are already stored, the previous year, the nutrients needed (the bulb is slightly poisonous, so do not let the bulbs of snowdrops omelettes!). This gives the flower the advantage of less competition for the visits of pollinators, or pollinating insects. However, this strategy is used by only a limited number of species, because in these cold months are still very few pollinators that they go around! "So it's a niche very small label that the snowdrop was able to take very well.
The snowdrops flower consists of three large white tepals, and three white petals stained green, united to form a tube, inside which there are six stamens and a stylus.
The flower is folded down, when the insect enters in search of nectar, its body touches the bristles located on the anthers, which cause the fall pollen dusting the insect. When an insect that will visit the next flower pollinating the flower pollen on the stigma.
usually folded flowers are not closed at night or in bad time - the snowdrop is an exception, mainly because during its flowering period is still very possible the period of ice.
Immediately after the snowdrops are flowering period of crocus (Crocus reticulatus).
Unlike snowdrops, crocuses blooming on the meadow bloom now and then he needs to be visible insect pollinators, before the grass grow and hide. This allows him to use fewer resources than a plant with a long stem, as though paying for the price of a snowdrop flowering period less auspicious - another example of ecological niche very balanced.
The flower has three large and three tepals tepals small, the color varies from pale lilac on one so as to seem white on the outside there are beautiful dark purple streaks. The base of the tepals, stamens and stigma are a bright yellow.
The 'reticulatus' of the scientific name comes from the robes that cover the bulb, which are in fact a network.
The saffron crocus reticolatus is also called saffron Istria or Trieste - is in fact the relative 'our' wild saffron stigmas from which dissected the ononimo spice is prepared (again, I do not recommend culinary experiments, if only because of the possibility of confusing the crocus with poisonous colchicum)
In the undergrowth you can find another species in bloom at this time - though the flower is much less striking: the butcher's broom (Ruscus aculeatus).
parts that look like spiny leaves are actually modified parts of the branch called cladodes, the leaves are real squamette behind them.
robettina The flower is a small, light green, the speck that you see below cladodes:
The low-visibility, and lack of bright colors these flowers indicates that most probably do not holly relies on insects for pollination, preferring to rely on alternative means such as pollen in the wind.
The holly is known as an ornamental plant because of its beautiful red berries, and was once used to create pungent piles which hold the mouse away from domestic supplies - hence the name.
He currently uses to collect the seeds of holly, which sprout in the spring, and eat boiled or omelette - in Bisiach are called 'unearthed', because of their resemblance to a broom sorghum.
legislation for the collection of buds varies from region to region, so it is good information to avoid fines ... and However, it is a good idea to gather just enough for a good food, avoiding greedy stores!