Fritillaria 2007

[Maggi Young]

Wow, Ed, these affinis ARE sturdy souls, aren't they? How pleasing to see plants so obviously full of health, multiple flowers and strong stems... shows they are not bothered by the competition from the grasses, doesn't it?

[Ed Alverson]

Actually, that is a good question, as to why these plants are so healthy.  They are growing among thick grasses, nearly all are introduced European pasture grasses, which typically a significant problem for our native bulbs and other wildflowers.  The meadow does get mowed, once a year after the native plants set seed, and that definitely helps. 

Our native meadows or prairies were actually greatly enhanced by the burning that the Native American people did before the arrival of "Euroamerican" settlers, and burning very clearly helps native wildflowers, especially members of the lily family.  But this site is not burned these days.  I have no doubt, however, that 200 years ago there were Native Americans digging the Fritillaria and Camassia bulbs for food, at this very site.  The ironic thing is that digging bulbs, but only gathering the mature bulbs and leaving the rest, also enhanced the wildflower populations, again by reducing the growth of competing grasses.  Especially with Fritillaria, this would help disperse the "rice" grains, and give them a better chance to grow and mature.

[hadacekf]

I discovered this unusual Fritillaria acmopetala today in my garden

[Maggi Young]

Thanks to your excellent photo, Franz,  we can see that the Fritillaria has two of every piece, inside too.
I thought that it was a "twin" flower from the first picture... one can see the hint of two stems in fasciation near the top of the flower. I wonder if others will show this feature this year.... Ian has mentioned on the Bulb Log the number of Erythroniums that are making real two and three headed stems this year..... perhaps the frits are doing the same, but getting a little confused!

It is lovely to see the Gentians you have posted in another thread, Franz... very beautiful and good to see that Spring is doing well in Vienna!

[hadacekf]

Maggi,
Thank you for your comment. I agree with you.  There are two blooms into one another. I noticed only one plant all other plants were normal.

[Rafa]

Some wild pics of Fritillaria lusitanica

[hadacekf]

Rafa,
I am surprised over the colours variety of Fritillaria lusitanica. Thank you for your all fantastic photographs.

[Rafa]

Many thanks Franz,

Yes it is, is a very variable Frit, in size, colour and form. The green one has surprised me too. I have tried to put in the same picture the 3 forms of this little population (about 80 plants) which I discovered last week.

[Casalima]

Wonderful, Rafa!!! I am pink, green and purple with envy!

What sort of soil do they grow on?

Chloë

[Rafa]

Hola Chloë,

These fritillarias don´t grow in the spots were they usually do. This place is a public meadow used for cattle called Dehesa ,it is an oak wood (Querqus pyrenaica) soaked in water most of the year. Because of an ancient stone pit (middle ages,probably), the remains of the rocks have created a small gravel slope were species that need a very drained soil grow very well.
The funny thing is that ,together with the fritillarias you also have the proper flora of this marsh such a N. pallidulus... they take any opportunity!

[Michael]

Congratulations to all of your nice Fritillaria! I love them all!

[Brian Ellis]

Great to see them growing in the wild Rafa, Thank you very much