MONOCOTS

I'm finding solace during lockdown in the monocots. They are better equipped than most to growth in the dark season.  

Botanically, the plant kingdom is divided into a number of taxonomical categories of plants and one of my favourite divides is the split between monocots and dicots.

Named after the number of seed leaves upon germination; the cotyledons. Monocotyledons have their single (mono) seed leaf and dicotyledons with two (di). Monocots diverged from dicots so early in the evolution of plants that both groups have since evolved to be equally equipped to life on earth today. 

For me, the start of the year is intrinsically tied to the snowdrop, specifically the classic and common Galanthus nivalis (above in our garden). I know many people are excited by earlier flowering species and cultivars, starting even in November, but for me that is too early. G. nivalis generally flowers in early-mid February making it the first dominant flower I notice in the year. 

I have a memory lodged in …