Fritillaria

Fritillaria
Fritillaria meleagris
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Liliales
Family:	Liliaceae
Subfamily:	Lilioideae
Tribe:	Lilieae
Genus:	Fritillaria Tourn. ex L.
Type species
Fritillaria meleagris L.[1]
Subgenera
Subgenera (8) Davidii Rix Fritillaria Japonica Rix Korolkowia Rix Liliorhiza (Kellog) Benth. & Hook.f. Petilium (L.) Endl. Rhinopetalum Fisch. Theresia Koch
Diversity
About 140 species
Synonyms[2]
Synonyms Petilium Ludw. Imperialis Adans. Amblirion Raf. Rhinopetalum Fisch. ex D.Don Baimo Raf. Corona Fisch. ex Graham Melorima Raf. Eucrinum (Nutt.) Lindl. Theresia K.Koch Tozzettia Parl. 1854[a] Liliorhiza Kellogg Lyperia Salisb. nom. superfl. Korolkowia Regel Sarana Fisch. ex Baker Ochrocodon Rydb. Monocodon Salisb.

Fritillaria (fritillaries) is a genus of spring flowering herbaceous bulbous perennial plants in the lily family (Liliaceae). The type species, Fritillaria meleagris, was first described in Europe in 1571, while other species from the Middle East and Asia were also introduced to Europe at that time. The genus has about 130–140 species divided among eight subgenera. The flowers are usually solitary, nodding and bell-shaped with bulbs that have fleshy scales, resembling those of lilies. They are known for their large genome size and genetically are very closely related to lilies. They are native to the temperate regions of the Northern hemisphere, from the Mediterranean and North Africa through Eurasia and southwest Asia to western North America. Many are endangered due to enthusiastic picking.

The name Fritillaria is thought to refer to the checkered pattern of F. meleagris, resembling a box in which dice were carried. Fritillaries are commercially important in horticulture as ornamental garden plants and also in traditional Chinese medicine, which is also endangering some species. Fritillaria flowers have been popular subjects for artists to depict and as emblems of regions and organizations.

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