Fritillaria
A genus of bulbous perennials with nodding, bell-shaped flowers.
Native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, they are known for their nodding, bell-shaped flowers, often with a checkered pattern, and are commercially important in horticulture and traditional Chinese medicine.
- type_species
- Fritillaria meleagris
- subgenera
- 8
- native_range
- Temperate Northern Hemisphere (Mediterranean, North Africa, Eurasia, southwest Asia, western North America)
- known_for
- Large genome size, checkered flowers, use in traditional Chinese medicine
- conservation_status
- Many species endangered due to enthusiastic picking
Lore & Background
The name Fritillaria is thought to refer to the checkered pattern of F. meleagris, resembling a box in which dice were carried. European fritillaries were documented in the wild among the Loire meadows in 1570 by Noël Capperon, an Orléans apothecary, who suggested the name to Clusius. meleagris as Meleagris flos.
Reader's Guide
Fritillaria species are significant for their extreme genome size expansion, with diploid genomes ranging from 30.15 to 85.38 Gb, and the tetraploid F. assyriaca having one of the largest known genomes. They are closely related to lilies and contain steroidal alkaloids and other compounds used in traditional medicine. Many species are endangered due to overcollection for horticulture and medicine. The flowers have been popular subjects for artists and emblems of regions and organizations.
Did You Know?
- The largest genome in diploid Fritillaria is found in subgenus Japonica, exceeding 85 Gb.
- Fritillaria imperialis has a 'foxy' odor identified as 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol.
- Fritillaria flowers are usually solitary, nodding, and bell-shaped with six tepals.
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