Fritillaria meleagris Snakehead Fritillary PFAF Plant Database

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Fritillaria meleagris - L.

Common Name

Snakehead Fritillary

Family

Liliaceae

Synonyms

Known Hazards

The bulb is poisonous[100].

Habitats

Damp meadows and pastures[17], especially on alkaline soils[90].

Range

Europe, including Britain, from Sweden south and west to France, Serbia and the Lower Volga.

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Fritillaria meleagris is a BULB growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.1 m (0ft 3in).
It is hardy to zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Apr to May, and the seeds ripen from Jun to July. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, self.The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.

Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Habitats
Meadow;

Edible Uses
None known

Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally. The plant formerly had a reputation as a healing herb, but is not used at present[4].

Other Uses
None known

Cultivation details

Prefers a moist non-acid soil and a sunny position[17, 24, 42]. Succeeds in any soil, preferring a light soil with plenty of humus[1, 90]. Succeeds in sun or light shade[1, 90]. Grows well in short turf[108]. A very ornamental plant[1], it often self-sows when in a suitable position. Rabbits are very fond of this plant and will destroy it wholesale if given the opportunity[4]. A good plant for the spring meadow[24, 90, 134]. The flowers are very attractive to bees[108]. Plants should not be allowed to dry out in the summer[90].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as ripe in a cold frame, it should germinate in the spring[1]. Protect from frost[134]. Stored seed should be sown as soon as possible and can take a year or more to germinate[134]. Sow the seed quite thinly to avoid the need to prick out the seedlings. Once they have germinated, give them an occasional liquid feed to ensure that they do not suffer mineral deficiency. Once they die down at the end of their second growing season, divide up the small bulbs, planting 2 - 3 to an 8cm deep pot. Grow them on for at least another year in light shade in the greenhouse before planting them out whilst dormant. Division of offsets in August[1]. The larger bulbs can be planted out direct into their permanent positions, but it is best to pot up the smaller bulbs and grow them on in a cold frame for a year before planting them out in the autumn. Bulb scales[163].

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Expert comment

Author
L.

Botanical References
17200

Links / References

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[4]Grieve. A Modern Herbal.

Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.

[17]Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles.

A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.

[24]Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.

Fairly good with lots of ideas about creating wildlife areas in the garden.

[42]Grey. C. H. Hardy Bulbs.

Rather dated now, but an immense work on bulbs for temperate zones and how to grow them. Three large volumes.

[90]Phillips. R. and Rix. M. Bulbs

Superbly illustrated, it gives brief details on cultivation and native habitat.

[108]International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees.

The title says it all.

[134]Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2.

Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. An interesting article on Ensete ventricosum.

[163]RHS Lily Group. Lilies and Related Plants.

Lots of interesting snippets about plants in the family Liliaceae (in the old, broad sense)

Readers comment

Elizabeth H.
dianne sutherland	Tue May 6 2008

dianne sutherland botanical studies and information regarding British native speciesi

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