186 WILD FLOWERS OF THE BRITISH ISLES 
few solitary ones below in the axils of the upper leaves ; the perianth-lobes yellow with raised 
purplish-black dots much reflexed ; the stem is i|-4 feet high, stout, and leafy to the top; and the 
leaves are alternate, crowded, and narrowly lance-shaped. 
Not a native, very rare. Naturalised in one place in North Devon. July. Perennial. 
2 . Turk’s-cap Lily. (Lil'ium Mar'tagon. Linn.) — A species with the perianth-lobes 
reflexed, dull purplish-pink or flesh-coloured with purplish-black raised dots, the flowers drooping, 
solitary in the axils of the very small upper leaves, forming a cluster (raceme), terminating a leafy 
stem 2-3 feet high ; the leaves are lance-shaped, 5-8 together in circles (whorls) up the stem. 
Very rare. In woods ; naturalised in Surrey and occurring as an escape in some other places. 
July — September. Perennial. 
XIV. FRITILLARY. (FRITILLARIA. Linn.)— Flowers large, showy, bell-shaped, solitary 
or several on very long drooping stalks terminating a leafy stem. Perianth of 6 free lobes, bell- 
shaped, inserted below the seedcase (inferior) ; stamens 6, inserted at the base of the perianth ; 
carpels 3, united into a seedcase, 1 long style, and separating into 3 narrow long stigmas ; fruit a 
3-celled capsule, with numerous flat winged seeds in 2 rows in each cell, opening by 3 valves down 
the middle of the cells (loculicidally). Herbs with leafy stems, narrow leaves, and bulbous 
roots. 
Common Fritillary or Snake’s Head. (FritillAria Mele&gris. Linn.)— As just 
described. The only British species. A fascinating flower usually of a dull maroon-purple, rarely 
white, with regular paler markings resembling those on the body of a snake, bell-shaped, an inch 
or more long, solitary or rarely 2 or 3 in a very loose cluster terminating a stem 9 inches to 1 foot 
high, with a few alternate very narrow strap-shaped leaves. [Plate 61. 
Rare, local. In moist meadows and pastures ; very abundant in Wiltshire and various southern 
and eastern counties. May. Perennial. 
XV. GAGEA. Salisb. — Flowers yellow, in a terminal rather flat-topped cluster on a stalk from 
the root, usually leafless, sometimes with 1 sheathing leaf. Perianth of 6 free lobes, inserted 
below the seedcase (inferior) ; stamens 6, adhering to the base of the perianth ; carpels 3, 
united into a seedcase, 1 style, and a small 3-lobed stigma ; fruit a capsule, 3-celled, and opening 
by 3 valves down the middle of the cells (loculicidally). Herbs with a few narrow strap-shaped 
(linear) leaves usually all from the root. 
Yellow Star of Bethlehem. (GAg’ea lutea. Gawler.) — The only British species. 
As just described. The flowers are about f inch across, of a pale lemon-yellow, greenish outside, 
spreading, on rather long stalks, in a flat-topped cluster, all the stalks crowded close together at 
the top of the stem, with at their base 2 unequal leaf-like bracts. The stems are about 6 inches 
high, usually naked, sometimes with one sheathing leaf and several long strap-shaped leaves from 
the root. ( Gagea fascicularis. Salisb.) [ Plate 61. 
Rare. In woods, especially near streams ; widely distributed in England and the south of Scotland. 
March — April. Perennial. 
XVI. MEADOW SAFFRON. (COL'CHICUM. Linn.) — Flowers remarkably like those of the 
Crocus, but easily distinguished from them by the 6 stamens, lilac, pink, or whitish, solitary, with 
a very long perianth-tube which looks like a stalk, almost stalkless on the bulb. Perianth with a 
very long slender tube, many inches long, with 6 lobes, cup-shaped and finally spreading, inserted 
below the seedcase (inferior) ; stamens 6, inserted on the perianth-tube ; carpels 3, united into a 
