Editing Galanthus (section)

== Ecology ==
[[File:Schneeglocken.jpg|thumb|''G. nivalis'' piercing snow cover]]
Snowdrops are [[hardiness (plants)|hardy]] [[herbaceous]] plants that [[perennate]] by underground [[bulbs]]. They are among the earliest spring bulbs to bloom, although a few forms of ''G. nivalis'' are autumn flowering.<ref name=Dahlgren/>{{sfn|Harland|2016}} In colder climates, they will emerge through snow (see illustration). They naturalise relatively easily forming large drifts. These are often sterile,{{sfn|Davis|1999}} found near human habitation, and also former monastic sites.{{sfn|Harland|2016}} The leaves die back a few weeks after the flowers have faded. ''Galanthus'' plants are relatively vigorous and may spread rapidly by forming bulb [[offset (botany)|offset]]s. They also spread by dispersal of seed, animals disturbing bulbs, and water if disturbed by floods.{{sfn|Harland|2016}}<ref name=Churchgal/>