fritillary

Any of the approximately 80 species of bulbous, mostly perennial, ornamental herbaceous plants that make up the genus , in the lily family, native primarily to the northern temperate zone. Members have bell-shaped, nodding, usually solitary flowers. In many species the flower has a checkered appearance. The fruit, a capsule, contains many seeds. Snake's head, or toad lily (), a species with poisonous bulbs, and crown imperial (), a strong-smelling plant, are commonly cultivated as garden flowers.

Find more information on fritillary. Upgrade to Britannica Online for more on fritillary.