Snowdrops Bloom in Sochi

A total of five species of snowdrops, each endemic, grow in the Sochi area. All of them are included in the Red Book of the Krasnodar Territory.

In Sochi National Park, snowdrops bloom for eight months, from November to June. The first to bloom in the foothills is the Riesner's snowdrop, and the last to bloom in May-June on alpine meadows is the flat-leaved snowdrop. Sochi owes such a long spring to its mountains, which provide a wide variety of climates and a huge number of local plant species, according to the Sochi National Park.

Collecting Red Book species is prohibited by law. During the flowering period of rare species, state inspectors of the Sochi National Park increase patrolling in their habitats. The administrative fine is from 2500 to 5000 rubles with confiscation of plants, and fines for officials and legal entities are much higher. The transportation and sale of Red Book species are also prohibited. Raids in places of sale are carried out by employees of the Sochi Internal Affairs Directorate.