Snowdrops and yew tree, St George's Churchyard

Image: © Maigheach-gheal Taken: 31 Jan 2012

In sheltered places in south-west England the snowdrop begins to flower at Christmas, and in other parts it is welcomed as one of the first signs of spring, flowering from January to March. The drooping, bell-shaped flowers have six segments - three white ones outside the flower and three tipped with a bright spot inside it. It is doubtful whether the snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) is a native of Britain. It was probably introduced in medieval times from central Europe and it is rare in Ireland. The ancient tradition that this evergreen sheltered the first Christian missionaries to Britain before their churches were built is one of the many explanations put forward to account for the large numbers of yews found in country churchyards. The yew is also a life symbol, and was sometimes scattered on graves. The longbows of medieval archers came from straight, knot-free lengths cut from tall, selected trees. But these were unlikely to be churchyard yews – the best bow staves were imported from Spain.

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