x0x Snow Flowers
TRH
By Ali Ihsan Gökçen
Spring is the season we mostly associate with flowers, and this is indeed
the time of greatest abundance, but we should not forget the flowers of
other seasons. Among those of the winter season there are some which bloom
while the snow is still on the ground. The outstanding diversity of
Turkey's vegetation is due to its unique geographical structure,
representing three major flora zones: The northern regions have a flora
typical of Northern Europe and Siberia, the southern regions that of the
Mediterranean, and the interior an Irano-Turanian flora.
Altogether 9500 species of plants grow in Turkey, an enormous number when
we remember that the entire flora of Europe amounts to 12,000 species. So
Turkey is a single country possessing a biodiversity which rivals that of
a continent.
What is more, 3000 of these plants are endemic, in other words unique to
Turkey.
Winter is a difficult time for herbaceous flowering plants. In this season
most lose their leaves and their stems wither. Either their roots and
bulbs survive beneath the soil, or they wait out the winter as seeds.
However, there are some species which continue their active life in
winter, even producing flowers. The majority of such plants are found in
the Mediterranean region, primarily due to the mild climate, but also for
geomorphological and topographic reasons. Winter aconite (Eranthis
hyemalis) is one such a plant, clumps of which are found flowering in late
winter and early spring. As soon as the snow melts in the Toros Mountains
the bright yellow petals of this flower bring colour to the grey limestone
and grassy pastures near Tarsus.
The best known flower associated with winter is undoubtedly the snowdrop
(Galanthus), but numerous species of crocus, mountain wind flower (Anemone
blanda) and poppy anemone (Anemone coronaria) also flower in winter in
various parts of this region. The lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis), a
member of the Christmas rose family, is another example.
The snowdrop flower consists of three white sepals and hangs its head on
the delicate green stem. There are ten natives species of snowdrop in
Turkey, some to be found on the snow covered high pastures of the Bolu
Mountains, some in oak forest around Istanbul, and others at the foot of
snowy limestone rocks in Tatly Kilikya. When the temperature begins to
rise and the earth to warm up, the snowdrops push their heads through the
snow. Excessive harvesting has endangered this beautiful flower, which can
be grown easily in gardens in the right climate, or as an indoor pot
plant.
Turkey also has ten natives species of cyclamen, which grow over a wide
altitude range from sea level to 2400 metres. Some of these species
produce lovely pink, white or red flowers in early winter, and continue to
bloom throughout the winter months. The species Cyclamen coum, which is
widespread in the Black Sea region, grows in clumps in woodland and
amongst rocks, sometimes colouring great swathes of ground with its small
pink flowers. These may sometimes be seen in the snow as the soil warns
up. Many cultivated varieties of cyclamen are to be found in florists and
nurseries. The crocus, one of the best known and best loved flowers in
Turkey, grows in a wide range of habitats, including forests, mountains
and plains. Some species flower in winter and early spring and others in
autumn. Their flowers are formed of six narrow petals, and they may paint
large areas of meadows or mountain sides yellow or purple. The saffron
crocus (Crocus fleischeri) has three orange stigmas, and it is these which
are gathered and dried for culinary use.
The lenten rose is an evergreen which grows in deciduous forest, its
glossy dark green leaves and pale yellow flowers easily spotted against
the brown carpet of fallen leaves. Ruscus hypoglossum is a woodland plant
that lights up the winter season not with flowers but with its bright red
berries, which make it easy to spot. The rosehips of the wild dogrose
(Rosa canina) remain on the bush after the leaves have fallen, lending
decorative colour to the landscape, particularly against the white ground
after snow has fallen.
So winter is a time to look out for plants and even flowers, that by their
greater rarity lend additional pleasure and interest to country walks and
hikes.
* Ali Ihsan Gökçen is a photographer