Acmopetala

Fritillaria is a genus of bulbous flowering plants known for their distinctive drooping, bell-shaped flowers that often display intricate checkered or spotted patterns. The name comes from the Latin "fritillus," meaning dice box, referring to the checkered pattern resembling a Roman dice cup found on many species.

These spring-blooming flowers are native to temperate regions across the Northern Hemisphere, with species found in Europe, Asia, and western North America. Fritillarias vary greatly in size and appearance - from the towering Crown Imperial (Fritillaria imperialis) with its dramatic orange or yellow flowers topped by a crown of leaves, to the delicate Snake's Head Fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris) with its purple and white checkered petals.

The flowers typically nod downward, hanging like lanterns from sturdy stems, and many species emit a subtle, sometimes musky fragrance. In gardens, fritillarias are prized for their unusual beauty and architectural form, though they can be challenging to grow as they often require specific soil conditions and may take several years to establish.

Some species, like the Crown Imperial, have been cultivated since the 16th century and were especially popular in European palace gardens. In the wild, many fritillaria species have become rare due to habitat loss, making them subjects of conservation efforts.