Fritillaria is a type of spring flowering herbaceous plant from the lily family.
It 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 flowers are usually solitary, nodding and bell-shaped with bulbs that have fleshy scales, resembling those of 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.
The name Fritillaria is thought to refer to the checkered pattern, resembling a box in which dice were carried.
Fritillaries are often used as ornamental garden plants and also in traditional Chinese medicine.
Fritillaria flowers have been popular subjects for artists to depict and as emblems of regions and organizations.
