Native Natter, January 2026

As a new year rolls in, it brings with it the promise of the new life to come. We see this on site with the emergence of the first Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) around the base of our veteran Sweet chestnut tree (Castanea sativa) outside the original Pannington Hall. However contrary to popular opinion, neither of these common species are actually native. The official definition of a UK native species is one that has arrived naturally, without human assistance, following the last ice age – roughly 10,000 to 11,000 years ago.

Snowdrops are thought to have been introduced to the UK in the late 1500s, as both an ornamental and medicinal species. The scientific name ‘Galanthus’ meaning milk-flower and ‘nivalis’ meaning snow, which perfectly describes the appearance of the plant. There are now hundreds of cultivated varieties of Snowdrop, with the record for one of the rarest cultivars Galanthus ‘Golden tears’ fetching £1,850 in an online auction in 2022! This iconic species can also be used to produce a chemical called Galantamine, which is used to treat Alzheimer’s disease. This cements the reputation of the Snowdrop as not only a beautiful seasonal reminder, but an important botanical resource.

Picture credit: Katie Bowes – Park Ranger, Estates team

Sweet chestnut trees were a favourite of the Romans, who have long been blamed for their introduction into the UK around 1600 years ago. However recent archaeological science says that that they may have arrived slightly later. The Romans revered the Sweet chestnut for its fast growing timber, which they needed in bulk to support their campaigns across the continent. They thought of the nut as food for the masses, not suitable for banqueting tables of emperors or centurions. Instead the nuts were roasted, ground

into flour and cooked as porridge to be given to foot soldiers on their way into battle. However with modern food science we would actually classify the Sweet chestnut as a superfood – low in fat, high in vitamin C and carbohydrates, it certainly is suitable for any dinner table!

Both these species having been enveloped within our culture are now thought of as naturalised – adopted into our landscape, for not just their beauty, but important uses.

Gemma Marriage,

Head of Land and Native Conservation at Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park