LILIACE^ 283 



Tulipa australis Link. 



Stem about 9 inches high, with 2 narrow-lanceolate, acute leaves. 

 ' Petals ' shining on upper surface, lanceolate, acuminate, yellow, 

 the outer ones reddish at the top. 



Sub-alpine pastures ; local. April, May. In Southern France, 

 Italy, Spain, and Portugal it grows in the ordinary pastures. 



Distribution. Switzerland (rare), Central and Southern Europe, 

 from Portugal to Tyrol. 



The variety alpestris (Jordan) grows at a height of 6000-7000 feet 

 in Dauphiny and the Maritime Alps. 



FRITILLARIA L. 



Bulbous herbs, with a more or less leafy stem, and one or more 

 rather large drooping flowers in a terminal raceme. Perianth bell- 

 shaped, with distinct segments as in Tulip, but the 3 inner segments 

 have a nectariferous cavity at their base. Stamens inserted at the 

 base of the perianth ; the anthers being attached a little above 

 their base. Capsule 3-celled, with several rather flat horizontal 

 seeds in each cell, as in Tulip. 



About 50 species inhabit the temperate regions of the northern 

 hemisphere, being found in Europe, Asia, and North America. 

 They might be more cultivated, for many are both handsome and 

 early flowering. 



Fritillaria delphinensis Gren. 



Stem 8-12 inches high, leafy above, naked below. Leaves 4-8, 

 broadly lanceolate, flat, erect, alternate. Flower large, purple, 

 obscurely spotted, ij inch long. Perianth-segments connivant, 

 concave, the interior segments being oval-elliptic and rounded. 

 Capsule obovate. 



High pastures in the Alps ; local. May to July. 



Distribution. Savoy, Dauphiny, Provence, Corsica, Northern 

 Italy, Tyrol. 



Fritillaria Meleagris L. Common Fritillary. 



Stem about a foot high, with 3 or 4 linear, thick, channelled 

 leaves, and a single terminal drooping flower (rarely two), dull red, 

 spotted with purple and yellowish white, or rarely white with 

 greenish spots. 



Damp meadows, but scarcely attaining the sub-alpine region of 

 Switzerland or France. April. 



Distribution. Most of Europe, from France to the Caucasus and 

 northwards to England and Scandinavia. 



