Seasonal Wild Flowers

Fritillary

Fritillaria meleagris

Liliaceae

April and May

Wild, probably native, fritillaries found in localised sites

in East Anglia and around Oxford since the 1730s.

Naturalised escapes are scattered throughout the country,

but are most common in the South.

For a map see BSBI disribution map for - Fritillary

Fritillary is found in damp meadows used for hay making

with subsequent grazing.

It is also planted, and sometimes naturalised in other

types of grassland.

It is a bulbous perennial herb growing up to 30cm.

Flowers are nodding, campanulate and up to 5cm

across. They are made up of 6 overlapping tepals

.which range from purple to white and have check

markings.

There are 6 yellow stamens.

The style is long with 3 linear stigmas.

Leaves are linear.

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Fritillaries in rough ground, Lancaster

Purple variety

White variety

Bell-shaped flower, overlapping tepals

Corolla view, stamens and style

Close-up of anthers

Close-up: stamens, 3 lobed stigma

Stem and narrow leaves