Fritillaria that originate in Asia from A-J are described on this page. For information about other species consult the links below.
Asian fritillaria K-Z -- European fritillaria -- Miscellaneous fritillaria -- North American fritillarias -- Fritillaria index
Fritillaria acmopetala This species is found in fields in the Eastern Mediterranean region. It is olive green and reddish-brown and is not tesselated (checkered) nor do the tepals have median stripes. The tips of the tepals curl back strongly. This species is often received from seed exchanges and collectors under other names, since it is very common and easy to grow in the garden. Increases rapidly by offsets. Photos by Arnold Trachtenberg, Jane McGary and John Lonsdale. The last photo is a dark form.
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Fritillaria acmopetala ssp. wendelboi from southern Turkey has flowers that are squared instead of rounded and fewer wider leaves. It is a short plant with green and maroon flowers topped by a darker purple band.
Fritillaria alfredae subsp. glaucoviridis from the Amanus Mountains of Turkey is the most commonly cultivated subspecies of this species. These plants, about 10 inches/25 cm tall, bear their distinctive blue-green flowers in late March in this bulb frame in Oregon, where they are not dried out in summer. Photo by Jane McGary
Fritillaria ariana is native to Central Asia and Afghanistan. It is a member of the Rhinopetalum section, typified by deeply indented nectaries that produce a "nose" on the outer part of the flower. This plant of desert dunes must be watered very carefully and kept dry in summer. Shown flowering in a bulb frame in Oregon in March, where bulbs have survived and flowered for ten years. Photo by Jane McGary
Fritillaria aurea This dwarf species from Turkey has yellow flowers tessellated with brown. Photos by Arnold Trachtenberg and John Lonsdale.
Fritillaria bithynica is a very dwarf plant native to the Aegean Islands and Western Turkey where it is found in scrub and stony soils. The flowers are yellowish green, almost silver on the outside. Mine originated from Jane McGary and the first bloom has been in March 2004. The first two photos by Mary Sue Ittner show the outside and looking up at the inside. In the third photo we see a very tiny plant of this fritillaria flowering at the base of a deciduous shrub. Photo by Mark McDonough taken on March 25, 2004. My plants also came from Jane McGary. In the background are the many thready green sprouts of young Fritillaria pudica bulbs, once again, from Jane McGary.
Fritillaria bucharica is a large, early-flowering member of the Rhinopetalum section from Central Asia and northern Afghanistan, growing on rocky slopes in the foothills. Fairly easy to grow, it produces numerous whitish flowers on a typically arching stout scape, with many bracts. The form in the photo is sold as a 'Giant' form, but it is fairly typical of plants I have here grown from seed. Flowering in a bulb frame in Oregon in March, kept fairly dry in summer. Photo by Jane McGary
Fritillaria carica from southwest Turkey is best ground in an Alpine house. It has gray green leaves and yellow bell shaped flowers. Photo by John Lonsdale.
Fritillaria carica subsp. serpenticola Grown from the Archibalds' seed. This is a very dwarf form of the variable F. carica and is native to serpentine soils in Antalya province, Turkey. First photo taken by Jane McGary and the second photo by John Lonsdale.
Fritillaria collina from the Caucasus has yellow, brown tessellated flowers. Photo by John Lonsdale
Fritillaria crassifolia This species is from Turkey and Iran, from limestone screes. Photos by Arnold Trachtenberg.
Fritillaria crassifolia ssp. kurdica Grown from Jane McGary's bulbs, this is a choice little species from Turkey with plump waxy bells. In flower it was about 3" (7.5 cm) tall. The first photo was taken by Mark McDonough on May 3, 2004. More photos from John Lonsdale.
Fritillaria davidii is a Chinese species with a solitary yellow flower marked with purple. Photo by John Lonsdale of the bract-leaves.
Fritillaria eduardii is closely related to F. imperialis and comes from Central Asia, east of the range of the latter. The illustrated plant was grown from seed collected by Josef Halda in the early 1990s and is kept in a bulb frame, dry in summer. This "miniature Crown Imperial" grows only about 40 cm tall (it elongates a bit after flowering in late winter) and is scentless, unlike the big Crown Imperial which has a foul odor. Photo by Jane McGary
Fritillaria forbesii is a moderately tall (c. 12 in/30 cm) species from southwestern Turkey. The flowers are similar to those of F. carica and other species of the region (and to American F. pudica) but it is distinguished by its narrow, alternate stem leaves and lack of basal leaves. Grown from seed purchased from Archibalds, and flowering in a bulb frame in Oregon in March. Photo by Jane McGary
Fritillaria gibbosa is the most widespread species of the Rhinopetalum group. It is best grown in an Alpine house or a bulb frame, but still is difficult. It is native to Iran and Afghanistan where it grows in open stony or sandy places hot in summer. Flower color ranges from pink to red or apricot with a darker tessellated pattern. It has deep red nectaries. Photos by John Lonsdale.
Fritillaria hermonis ssp. amana is a vigorous plant that increases freely by small bulbils. It has grey green leaves and reddish brown bell-like flowers with a central green stripe running the length of the petal. It is native to Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon. Photo by Arnold Trachtenberg.
Fritillaria imperialis This garden favourite has proven difficult for many, including myself. It seems to like full sun and moist, well drained substrate, but I, also, have it growing in rather heavy soil near my pond. Drying a bit in the Summer seems to assist blooming (pers. observation) Photos: Jamie Vande
The cultivar Fritillaria imperialis 'Aurora' is often offered.
The tetraploid Fritillaria 'Lutea Maxima' looks very similar to diploid 'Lutea', unlike 'Rubra Maxima', which is much larger than 'Rubra'.
Fritillaria japonica in a short species from Japan that grows in lightly shaded places.
Fritillaria japonica var. koidzumiana is considered to be a species in its own right, Fritillaria koidzumiana, by some. It is a rare species that likes cool conditions. The perianth segments have a hair-like fringe around the margin. Photo from John Lonsdale.
Asian fritillaria K-Z -- European fritillaria -- Miscellaneous fritillaria -- North American fritillarias -- Fritillaria index