Purple Fritillary, Spotted fritillary
Fritillaria atropurpurea
Family: Liliaceae
What it is like
Fritillaria atropurpurea is a BULB growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from April 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 dry or moist soil.
Height (m): 0.6
Where it is found
Humus rich damp soils under trees and shrubs in valleys and open woods, also in mountains to near the timberline, at elevations of 1000 - 3200 metres.
Western N. America - California to Oregon, N. Dakota and New Mexico.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Bulb - raw or cooked. Rich in starch. Rather small, it is usually less than 15mm in diameter.
Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
Medicine
Rating: 1
The plant has been pulverized into a salve and applied to scrofulous swellings.
Salve: Soothes and heals damaged skin.
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
A woodland plant, preferring light soils. It is best grown in a well-drained sandy woodland soil. Plants are best grown in a bulb frame and kept rather dry in summer. Water should be withheld in summer or hot spells. Closely related to F. pinetorum.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as ripe in a cold frame, it should germinate in the spring. Protect from frost. Stored seed should be sown as soon as possible and can take a year or more to germinate. 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. 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.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;
Habit: Bulb
Hardiness: 4-8
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Dry, moist