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Fritillaria thunbergii - Miq.

Common Name Zhe Bei Mu
Family Liliaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Bamboo forests, shady and moist places from near sea level to 600 metres[163, 266].
Range E. Asia - E. China.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Fritillaria thunbergii Zhe Bei Mu


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Fritillaria thunbergii Zhe Bei Mu
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of bulb
Fritillaria thunbergii is a BULB growing to 0.6 m (2ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from March to May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

F. collicola. Hance. F. verticillata thunbergii.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Root
Edible Uses:

Bulb - fried or candied[177]. The bulb is up to 3cm in diameter[266]. Young plants and buds - cooked[177].

References   More on Edible Uses

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.
Antitussive  Expectorant  Febrifuge

The bulbs are antidote, antitussive, astringent, expectorant, galactogogue and purgative[147, 174, 176, 218]. They contain fritimine which diminishes excitability of respiratory centres, paralyses voluntary movement and counters effects of opium[61]. The bulbs are thought to act specifically on tumours and swellings of the throat, neck and chest, and they are taken in the treatment of thyroid gland nodules, scrofula, abscesses and boils and breast cancer[254]. The bulb is used internally in the treatment of coughs, bronchitis, pneumonia, feverish illnesses, abscesses etc[238]. The bulbs also have a folk history of use against cancer of the breast and lungs in China[218, 238]. This remedy should only be used under the supervision of a qualified practitioner, excessive doses can cause breathing difficulties and heart failure[238]. The bulbs are harvested in the winter whilst they are dormant and are dried for later use[238].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Best grown in a moist peaty soil in the open garden[90]. Easily grown in a moderately fertile soil in sun or semi-shade[200]. Succeeds in drier soils and is drought tolerant when established[190]. The dormant bulbs are fairly hardy and will withstand soil temperatures down to at least -5°c[214]. The scaly bulbs are best planted on their sides or surrounded in sand to prevent water collecting in their hollow crowns[238]. This species is cultivated as a medicinal plant in Europe and Asia[163]. Plants take 3 - 5 years to flower from seed.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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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].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

Miq.

Botanical References

200266

Links / References

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