Fritillaria meleagris

Overview

Wisconsin's university horticultural account describes loose, open foliage with narrow alternate leaves and delicate arching stems. The nodding bell flower has six pointed tepals carrying a variable chequered mosaic of maroon, purple and pink. Flowers may occur singly or in pairs, with paler forms also recorded. The leaves die back after the spring growth period; that seasonal disappearance is part of a bulbous perennial's habit.

Kew accepts Fritillaria meleagris in Liliaceae and gives a native range from Europe to western Siberia, with Great Britain listed among introduced regions. Its records retain older names such as Lilium meleagris and Fritillaria tesselata. Such synonyms concern nomenclature and do not mean unrelated plants merely sharing a bell-shaped flower belong to this species.

The Royal Horticultural Society likewise records nodding patterned flowers and notes naturalisation in Britain. Its propagation account distinguishes seed germination following winter cold from division of bulb offsets, documenting separate ways new plants develop.

Origins & earliest records

Its British native status is debated separately from the origin of its lineage.

Evidence & interpretation

Retained scientific and institutional passages.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Guinea Hen Flower, Fritillaria meleagris

   Susan Mahr, University of Wisconsin Madison

2. 02

   Fritillaria meleagris

   Royal Botanic Gardens Kew

3. 03

   Fritillaria meleagris plant profile

   Royal Horticultural Society

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. University horticultural accountGuinea Hen Flower, Fritillaria meleagrisResearch access: 2026-10-12
2. Institutional taxonomic accountFritillaria meleagrisResearch access: 2026-10-12
3. Institutional horticultural accountFritillaria meleagris plant profileResearch access: 2026-10-12

Image credits

Modern AI interpretation of purple chequered fritillary plant.

Modern AI botanical interpretation of a selected purple flower; chequering and fine tissues are schematic.