In spring we can occasionally see white flowering plants in nature. In damp floodplain forests, this could be the March cup. It can be recognized by its white bell-shaped flowers, whose petals are adorned with a yellow or green dot. You can only admire him!
March cups are becoming increasingly rare in the forest
occurrence in nature
The ideal location for March cups is shady and moist. We must go to such places if we want to discover him. Two components are usually required: a forest that provides shade. And a stream that contributes moisture. In Central Europe, alluvial forests are its typical home.
Rare Encounters
If you can't spot spring snowflakes on your patrols through damp woodland, you may be out of bloom. March cups are bulbous plants that have a comparatively short existence above the earth's surface. They sprout the first flowers in February. The last specimens wither in April. Soon after, the plants retreat into their bulbs. As if they had never been there.
But the rare encounters also have to do with the fact that the distribution of this early bloomer is declining sharply. As numerous as it flourished in earlier times, it is scarcely available today. So that its number does not continue to dwindle and it even disappears completely from this planet, it is under legal protection in this country.
Conservation and its importance
Wild growing spring beetles may neither be picked nor dug up. Anyone who does so risks hefty penalties. As a nature lover, you wouldn't come up with such ideas anyway that endanger the continued existence of a species. Looking is allowed. And so we can thoroughly enjoy the sight of this flower whenever we encounter it. That should do.
Cultivate Marchen cups at home
Snowflakes can also be planted in a private garden. Plant the bulbs in the ground between September and October. You can get them in well-stocked specialist shops.
Patient gardeners can venture into seed propagation. This second variant of propagation is cheaper. But it takes several years for specimens grown from seed to flower. In any case, by cultivating this endangered plant you are making a valuable contribution to the preservation of natural biodiversity.
Notice:
Wear gloves when working with this plant. It is highly toxic in all parts. In a family garden she should rather shine with her absence.