Life Cycle of a Snowdrop Bulb:

1. Dormancy (Late Spring to Early Winter):
   • After their blooming period, snowdrops enter a phase of dormancy. During this time, the above-ground parts die back, and the bulb, which is underground, remains inactive. This dormant period allows the bulb to conserve energy for the next growing season.
2. Sprouting (Late Winter):
   • As the cold of winter begins to lessen, the bulb ends its dormancy. It uses the stored energy to develop roots and a shoot. This shoot makes its way through the soil, aiming to emerge on the surface.
3. Flowering (Late Winter to Early Spring):
   • Upon reaching the surface, the shoot grows rapidly and produces a flower bud. The bud is encased in a protective layer called a spathe. The snowdrop flower then blooms, showcasing its distinctive white petals.
4. Leaf Growth (Spring):
   • During or after the flowering phase, the snowdrop plant produces leaves. These leaves perform photosynthesis, creating food that is then stored back in the bulb, preparing it for the next year’s growth cycle.
5. Return to Dormancy:
   • As the season progresses and temperatures rise, the leaves begin to yellow and die back. The bulb re-enters a dormant state, preserving its energy until the cycle starts again in the next winter.

Process of Seed Development and Dispersal:

1. Pollination (Early Spring):
   • Snowdrop flowers attract early-spring pollinators such as bees. These insects transfer pollen from the anthers of one flower to the stigma of another, facilitating fertilization.
2. Seed Development:
   • Following successful fertilization, the flower starts to produce seeds within a seed capsule. This development continues into spring.
3. Seed Dispersal (Spring to Early Summer):
   • Once the seeds are mature, the capsule opens to release them. Snowdrop seeds have an elaiosome, a fatty appendage that attracts ants. The ants transport the seeds to new locations, aiding in their dispersal.
4. Seed Germination:
   • The dispersed seeds may germinate under suitable conditions, growing into new snowdrop plants. This adds to the snowdrop population through sexual reproduction, complementing the vegetative reproduction from bulbs.