Snake’s Head Fritillary Facts
- The attention-grabbing term of Snake’s Head Fritillary serves as the most frequently used common name for this remarkable plant. It has numerous others, however. These include the terms chess flower, leper lily, and Lazarus bell, just to name a few.
- Among scientific professionals, though, it’s typically referred to by its official title. But, as often holds true, that’s a somewhat difficult term for the layperson to pronounce. That’s because the natural marvel holds the technical title of Fritillaria meleagris.
- The beautiful Angiosperm received that moniker due to the efforts of Carl Linnaeus. The highly esteemed Swedish botanist accomplished the first official recognition of it as a separate and distinct species. He managed that noteworthy deed in 1753.
- Several of its general names stem from cultural references. Snake’s Head, for example, derives from the supposed snake-like appearance of its bulbs. The term leper lily stems from the belief that its shape looks like the bell once carried by many lepers.
- The gorgeous Snake’s Head Fritillary appears to still be present across most of its range. Sadly, though, it’s become uncommon in the wild, though commonly planted in gardens. For the moment, the IUCN has no listing for its on the organization’s Red List.
- Like many related species, it faces multiple potential threats to its continued existence as a species. Many of these stem directly from the actions of mankind. They include such perils as habitat loss due to human expansion, and the danger of climate change.
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Snake’s Head Fritillary Physical Description
The mesmerizing Snake’s Head Fritillary is a creation of Nature that fully earns the appreciation it typically receives from those who encounter it. Yet it does so without the benefit of physical size. That’s true since, in that respect, it’s a small member of its Order.
Each example of this true botanical beauty typically produces a single, strongly upright stem. These also generally develop as relatively slender. Exceptional specimens attain heights of up to 15 in (38.1 cm). Most of them, however, remain somewhat shorter than this.
These stems also possess several distinctly shaped leaves. This foliage develops as highly elongated, and each typically curls in upon itself along its length. Both these and the stems from which they spring also usually present as a light shade of green in color.
Yet it’s the flowers of the Snake’s Head Fritillary that capture the attention of the viewer. Most often these appear singly atop the stem. Nevertheless, as many as 2-3 develop on occasion. This bloom tends to droop from the tip of the stem, and averages 2 in (5 cm) long.
The vast majority of specimens display a strongly checkered pattern of various shades of purple. Sometimes white also develop mixed in with the purple. In rare examples, it may even be pure white. Numerous thin, reddish-brown veins augment its distinctiveness.
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Phylum: Tracheophytes
- Class: Monocots
- Order: Liliales
- Family: Liliaceae
- Genus: Fritillaria
- Species: F. meleagris
Snake’s Head Fritillary Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
The stunning Snake’s Head Fritillary evolved as native to a relatively broad swathe of the globe. That greater range probably won’t surprise many people, though. This wonder of evolution developed as endemic to most of Europe and western Asia.
Sdaly, though, within that overall zone of habitation, however, it appears in the wild in highly scattered concentrations. In fact, in many areas it’s considered endangered. Countries in which in grows natively include Croatia and Sweden, among many others.
Like many related species, the amazing flora displays moderately precise requirements regarding its choice of habitats. The remarkable variety of Angiosperm most frequently grows in the wild in regions of either meadows or openings in or near woodlands.
Yet it sometimes grows in open meadows. In all instances though, it needs the presence of relatively damp soil. Rivers or lakes often lay nearby. The flora also displays a preference for lower altitudes. It’s not known to develop above 2,625 ft (800 m) above sea level.
In the various regions in which the Snake’s Head Fritillary does live naturally, it usually develops in moderately large numbers. Pollination occurs due to the actions of multiple locally numerous insects. Its most common pollinator, of course, consists of native bees.
Its beauty does conceal a dangerous secret, however, as often occurs in Nature. The lovely bulb contains modest amounts of dangerous alkaloids. Due to their presence, few animal species feed on this lovely perennial plant. Nature tends to take care of its own!
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