CROWN IMPERIAL 



or Checkered Lily, so-called from the curious tessellation of colors, 

 is the most popular. This plant grows wild in moist English 

 meadows and is reported as easy of growth. 



Fritillaries have never been very extensively cultivated in this 

 country. 



CROWN IMPERIAL 



Fritillaria imperalis. 



One of the characteristic plants of old-fashioned gardens, but ban- 

 ished from modern ones because of its fetid odor. Native of Persia; 

 introduced into England be- 

 fore 1596. April, May. 



Bulb. — Coated or scaly. 



Stem. — Two to three feet 

 high. 



Leaves. — Broad lanceo- 

 late, numerous, often 

 whorled midway up the 

 stem, which is also termi- 

 nated by a tuft of leaves 

 above the flowers. 



Flowers. — In a whorl of 

 nodding bells underneath 

 the terminal leaves; yellow 

 to crimson; segments six, 

 not recurved, a honey 

 gland at the base of each. 



Stamens. — Six, attached 

 to the base of the segments. 



Style. — Long ; stigma 

 three-lobed; pod six-angled. 



Crown Imperial. Fritillafia imperalis 

 The Crown, Imperial, for 

 its stately beautifulness deserveth the first place in this our garden of de- 

 light, to be here entreated of before all other lilies. The whole plant and 

 every part thereof doe smell somewhat strong, as it were the savour of a foxe, 

 yet is not unwholesome. — "Paradisus Terrestris," Parkinson. 



The Crown Imperial is a plant which has outlived its social con- 

 sideration. Parkinson regarded it as the best of the lilies, but no 

 one gives it that place to-day. In an age that asks for fragrance, 



35 



