Leaf
Liliane Roubaudi, Tela Botanica · CC BY-SA 2.0
Snake's head fritillary
Fritillaria meleagris L.
Also known as: Guinea-hen flower
Family: Liliaceae
20 to 40 cm tall
Damp meadows, gardens, cool, rich soils
Flowering: April – May
Full sun
Part shade
Hardy to -20°C
❓ How do you recognise this plant?
The chequered pattern of its petals, unique in the French flora, recalls the speckled plumage of the guinea fowl.
🍃 Leaves
Narrow, glaucous, few in number
🌸 Flowers
Large nodding bell, characteristic purple and white chequerboard
🍎 Fruits
Upright 3-chambered capsule
🪵 Bark
Underground bulb, single flower stalk
🗺️ Distribution
Europe; rare and protected in lowland damp meadows in France, in decline.
🐝 Value for pollinators
Purple chequered flowers pollinated by bumblebees in spring.
✂️ Horticultural uses
Flower meadows, cool rock gardens, borders; bulb to naturalise in damp lawn.
⚠️ Possible toxicity
Slightly toxic (the bulb especially), like other members of the lily family; not to be eaten.
🌿 Other Liliaceae to discover
ℹ️ Educational profile — do not use it to judge whether a plant is edible or safe.
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