Fritillaria crassifolia subsp. crassifolia - Kurdish Lily

Fritillaria crassifolia ssp crassifolia is a lovely botanical fritillary that blooms in spring in Turkey, on the stony slopes of hills and mountains. This low-growing species is characterised by small pendulous bell-shaped flowers, with a waxy texture, shiny, olive-green in colour, randomly adorned with brown-purple stripes and patches. Very rare in cultivation, although reputed to be relatively cold-resistant, this species is one that the bulblet collector will be proud to own. From its origins, it can be deduced that it thrives in sunny conditions, in an alpine scree, on rather dry limestone substrate in summer and winter.

Fritillaria crassifolia ssp crassifolia (syn. Fritillaria ophioglossifolia) belongs to the Liliaceae family. It is native to an area extending from the southwest to the northeast of Turkey, where it is found growing in loose limestone scree and in earthy steppes, at altitudes ranging from 1500 to 3500 m. It is an alpine to subalpine  plant, present in regions with a relatively dry climate in winter and summer.

This fritillary develops from a small bulb 2.5 cm in diameter, sometimes equipped with a few bulblets, which dislikes winter moisture, as well as summer humidity. The foliage emerges from the soil at the end of winter. It consists of 3 to 4 broad, thick, shiny dark green leaves. Flowering occurs in April-May, sometimes in June depending on the climate. From the bulb, a floral stem 10-15 cm in height bearing an umbel of 2 to 4 campanulate bell-shaped flowers, drooping towards the ground emerges. These flowers are wide and long at 4-5 cm, composed of shiny waxy-textured petals. They are greenish or yellowish in colour, marked and paved with brown, and possess a sweetish fragrance. The aerial vegetation of Fritillary crassifolia ssp crassifolia disappears in summer, as the plant enters dormancy. During this time of year, the soil should be rather dry.

This botanical fritillary will find its place in a sunny rockery, alongside other small early spring-flowering bulbs, such as tulips or botanical daffodils. Cultivating in pots in a sandy or stony mix allows it to be sheltered from excess moisture, both winter and summer. The bulb does not tolerate warm and humid growing substrates well: professionals lift the bulbs when the plant enters dormancy and store them in slightly moist perlite or vermiculite, kept in bags stored in the shade.