Scientific Name:
Fritillaria imperialis
Pronunciation:
frit-ih-LAIR-ee-uh im-peer-ee-AY-lis
Common Name:
crown imperial
Family Name:
Liliaceae
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Key ID Features:
Leaves linear-lanceolate, up to 20cm long, margins wavy; flowers clustered at stem tips in false umbels, drooping, 6 tepals, bell-shaped, usually orange (yellow or red cvs.); capsules erect (pedicels straighten), 3-5cm wide, green turning tan with 6 spokes or wings.
Habit:
Upright
Form:
Columnar
Texture:
Medium - coarse
Mature Height:
0.7 - 1.3m
Mature Spread:
0.1 - 0.3m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Central / west Asia (South Turkey to Kashmir)
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 5: (-29 to -23 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Landscape Uses:
Perennial border, Rock garden, Woodland margin
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Whorled, Sessile
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Parallel venation
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Colour in Fall:
Yellow
Shapes:
Linear
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Truncate
Margins:
Entire, Undulate (wavy)
Inflorescence Type:
Raceme
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
6
Corolla Shape:
Rotate/stellate
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, Orange, Yellow, Red
Flower Scent:
Unpleasant
Flower Time at Peak:
Apr, May
Additional Info:
Drooping on long pedicels; fox-like odour may repels rodents
Fruit Type:
Capsule
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Jul, Aug, Sep
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green
Organ Modifications:
Bulbs
Propagation:
Division - below ground parts
Other:
Plant bulbs on side to reduce rotting
Pest Susceptibility:
Fungal leaf spot, Root rot, Rust, Virus (Disease resistant, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant)
Course(s):
- not used (on campus)
Location(s):
- (ONW) Overpass North side West
- (WDH) Wark-Dumais House