All facts at a glance

Name, family and occurrence

• bot. Leucojum vernum
• also great things snowdrop, March bells, spring knot flower
• Amaryllis family
• grows in forests with moist soils
• often close to rivers and streams
• in Central Europe mainly in so-called Floodplain forests

Location, planting and care

In addition to the wild-growing specimens, the Märzenbecher can also be used on private areas to be planted.

• is an onion plant
• Onions are planted in the fall
• then remain consistently in the ground
• Propagation via daughter bulbs or sowing
• likes damp, shady Locations
• as close as possible to water points such as ponds
• withdraws after flowering
• withered leaves can then be collected
• sprouts new in spring
• only needs new nutrients every few years

blossoms

Märzenbecher does not bloom until about two years after planting. After sowing it may take even longer for it to flower. The flower of the Märzenbecher has the following characteristics:

• is shaped like a bell
• has white color
• six petals of equal length
• each has a yellow-green point at the top
• The flower has a slight scent of violets
• Heyday is February to April
• One to two flowers are formed per stem

Leaves and onions

• Leaves shine dark green
• are narrow
• grow upright
• the plant becomes 20 to 30 cm high
• Onion is 4 to 5 cm tall
• covered with a red-brown outer skin

Toxicity

• contains alkaloids
• all plant parts are poisonous
• for people and many pets
• must not be consumed
• cardiac arrhythmias occur
• also vomiting, cramps, diarrhea
• Contact with plant sap leads to skin allergies

natural reserve

The Märzenbecher is threatened with extinction in the wild. That is why he is subject to us natural reserve. Everyone who meets him in the forest or in the meadow can admire him. Picking and digging, on the other hand, is a punishable offense.