Editing Galanthus (section)

==Description==

=== General ===
All [[species]] of ''Galanthus'' are [[perennial]] [[petaloid]] [[herbaceous]] bulbous (growing from [[bulb]]s) [[monocot]] plants. The [[genus]] is characterised by the presence of two [[leaves]], [[:wikt:pendulous|pendulous]] white [[flowers]] with six free [[perianth]] segments in two [[whorl (botany)|whorls]]. The inner whorl is smaller than the outer whorl and has green markings.{{sfn|Ronsted et al.|2013}}

=== Vegetative ===

; Leaves:
These are basal, emerging from the bulb initially enclosed in a tubular membranous sheath of [[cataphylls]]. Generally, these are two (sometimes three) in number and linear, strap-shaped, or [[oblanceolate]]. [[Vernation]], the arrangement of the emerging leaves relative to each other, varies among species. These may be applanate (flat), supervolute (conduplicate), or explicative (pleated). In applanate vernation, the two leaf blades are pressed flat to each other within the bud and as they emerge; explicative leaves are also pressed flat against each other, but the edges of the leaves are folded back (externally recurved) or sometimes rolled; in supervolute plants, one leaf is tightly clasped around the other within the bud and generally remains at the point where the leaves emerge from the soil{{sfn|Bishop et al.|2001|loc=p.&nbsp;1–2}} (for illustration, see Stearn{{sfn|Stearn vernation|1992}} and Davis{{sfn|Davis vernation|1999}}). In the past, this feature has been used to distinguish between species and to determine the parentage of hybrids, but now has been shown to be [[homoplasious]], and not useful in this regard.

The [[Scape (botany)|scape]] (flowering stalk) is erect, leafless, [[terete]], or compressed.{{sfn|Brickell|2011}}

=== Reproductive ===

;Inflorescence :
At the top of the [[scape (botany)|scape]] is a pair of [[bract]]-like [[spathe]]s (valves) usually fused down one side and joined by a papery membrane, appearing [[Glossary of botanical terms#monophyllous|monophyllous]] (single). From between the spathes emerges a solitary (rarely two), pendulous, nodding, bell-shaped white flower, held on a slender [[Pedicel (botany)|pedicel]]. The flower bears six free [[perianth]] segments ([[tepal]]s) rather than true [[petals]], arranged in two whorls of three, the outer whorl being larger and more convex than the inner whorl. The outer tepals are [[Glossary of leaf morphology#acute|acute]] to more or less [[Glossary of leaf morphology#acute|obtuse]], [[spathulate]] or oblanceolate to narrowly [[obovate]] or linear, shortly clawed, and erect spreading. The inner tepals are much shorter (half to two thirds as long), oblong, spathulate or oblanceolate, somewhat [[:wikt:unguiculate|unguiculate]] (claw like); tapering to the base and erect. These tepals also bear green markings at the base, the apex, or both, that when at the apex, are bridge-shaped over the small [[Sinus (botany)|sinus]] (notch) at the tip of each tepal, which are [[emarginate]]. Occasionally, the markings are either green-yellow, yellow, or absent, and the shape and size varies by species.<ref name=Meerow98/>{{sfn|Brickell|2011}}

; Androecium :
The six [[stamens]] are inserted at the base of the perianth, and are very short (shorter than the inner perianth segments), the anthers basifixed (attached at their bases) with filaments much shorter than the anthers; they [[dehisce]] (open) by terminal [[stoma|pores]] or short slits.{{sfn|Brickell|2011}}

; Gynoecium, fruit and seeds:
The [[Ovary (botany)#Inferior ovary|inferior ovary]] is three-celled. The [[style (botany)|style]] is slender and longer than the anthers; the [[stigma (botany)|stigma]] is minutely [[Stigma (botany)#Shape|capitate]]. The ovary ripens into a three-celled [[capsule (botany)|capsule]] fruit. This fruit is fleshy, ellipsoid or almost spherical, opening by three flaps, with seeds that are light brown to white and oblong with a small appendage or tail ([[elaiosome]]) containing substances attractive to [[ant]]s, which distribute the seeds.{{sfn|Brickell|2011}}<ref name=Dahlgren/>

The [[chromosome number]] is 2n=24.{{sfn|Bishop et al.|2001|loc=p.&nbsp;7}}<ref name=Meerow98/>

[[Floral formula]]: <math>\star\; P_{3+3} \; A_{3+3} \; G_{\overline{(3)}}</math>