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The genus Fritillaria
L. (Liliaceae) comprises approx. 170 taxa distributed through much of the
temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, from Europe and North Africa,
through Central Asia to China, Japan and Eastern Russia, and connected by the
Aleutian Island chain to North America, extending south to New Mexico and west
to North Dakota.
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Bulbous
perennials. Bulb
one or more large fleshy
scales, sometimes with many small scales, covered
with a translucent tunic. Stem simple, erect. Leaves
verticillate, opposite, sub-opposite or alternate, linear to
ovate, green or
glaucous, sessile. Inflorescence solitary, pseudo-umbellate or
racemose. Flowers bisexual, usually
nodding, perianth campanulate to cupulate; tepels six with segments
often tessellated
(marked with alternating squares of light and dark colour), many with a
longitudinal central stripe or fascia, bract leaves 1-3. Nectaries conspicuous,
at the base, or
at the angle of inflection of the perianth segments. Anthers linear,
attached
to filament slightly above base. Style
subentire
or 3-fid, caducous. Fruit capsular, normally held erect,
cylindrical,
six-angled or winged, tri-valved. Seeds numerous, in two rows per
locule. Basic
haploid chromosome
number x = 12 with x = 9, 11 and 13 also recorded.
Habitat: near sea level to 5600 m
in Grasslands, open woods, scrub, mountain steppe, salt mashers, and seasonally
damp meadows, often on limestone substrates or serpentine soils.
Flowering period: February to
July depending on altitude or latitude, often by melting snow.
Many of conservation concern.
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