greece's flora: ελληνική χλωρίδα

Monday, April 30, 2012

Fritillaria (Fritillaria messanensis)

Profitis Ilias, Lefkada

Fritillaria messanensis (fritillaria, φριτιλλάρια) belongs to the Liliaceae family and is closely related to the tulips. The name of the genus means dice box in Latin and refers to the pattern the petals have. The flower can be easily distinguished by its narrow leaves and broadly ovate nectaries. The flower has 6 petals each of them having a green stripe in the center of the petal. It likes sunny places and usually blossoms from March to April.

Profitis Ilias, Lefkada