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| Practical ecological knowledge for the temperate reader. |
FRITILLARIA - FRITILLARY
- Family: Liliaceae - Lily
[E-flora]
"Bulb with 1–several large fleshy scales, 0–many small scales. Stem: erect, simple (0 in non-flowering plants). Leaf: cauline, alternate, subopposite, or whorled below, sessile, linear to ± ovate (1 bulb-leaf in non-flowering plants). Inflorescence: raceme; bracts leaf-like. Flower: generally nodding, bell- or cup-shaped; perianth parts 6 in 2 whorls, each part with distinct glandular area in lower 1/2; stamens 6, included, attached at perianth base, anthers attached ± near middle; ovary ± sessile, style 1, ± entire or 3-branched. Fruit: capsule, loculicidal, thin-walled, ± rounded, 6-angled, or winged, chambers 3. Seed: many, 2 rows per chamber, flat, ± brown."
"± 100 species: northern temperate. (Latin: dicebox, from fruit shape) Bulbs of some eaten by Native Americans." [Jepson]
"There are about one hundred Fritillaria species, ranging from North Africa to Europe, Asia, and western North America. The plants are generally hardy and easily cultivated in home gardens." [Schofield]
Local Species;
- Fritillaria affinis - Sealy Checker Lily [E-flora]
- var. affinis - chocolate lily [E-flora][TSFTK]
- Fritillaria camschatcensis - northern rice-root [E-flora][PCBC][TSFTK]
- Fritillaria pudica - yellow bell [TSFTK][E-flora]
Fritillaria camschatcensis |
Fritillaria camschatcensis |
Fritillaria camschatcensis
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Fritillaria affinis - Sealy Checker Lily
"Fritillaria affinis is a BULB growing to 0.6 m (2ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from April to May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil." [PFAF]
"General: Perennial herb from a bulb of a few larger, fleshy scales and numerous small, rice-grain bulblets; stems 20-80 cm tall, slender to sturdy, smooth." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Notes: This species has long been known as F. lanceolata, an illegitimate name." [IFBC-E-flora]
Habitat/Range "Dry to mesic grassy bluffs, meadows and open forests in the lowland and steppe to lower subalpine zones; common on SE Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and inland to SC BC, south of 52degreeN; S to ID and CA." [IFBC-E-flora]
Status: Native [E-flora]
Fritillaria camschatcensis - northern rice-root
"Fritillaria camschatcensis is a BULB growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower in May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil." [PFAF]
"General: Perennial herb from a bulb of several larger, fleshy scales subtended by numerous small, rice-grain bulblets; stems 20-60 (80) cm tall, sturdy, smooth." [IFBC-E-flora]
Habitat/Range "Moist tideflats, meadows, open forests, rocky beaches and streambanks in the lowland to subalpine zones; common along coast, infrequent inland; N to AK and YT and S to W WA and OR." [IFBC-E-flora]
Status: Native [E-flora]
Synonyms
- Lilium camschatcense L. [E-flora]
Fritillaria pudica - yellow bell
"Fritillaria pudica is a BULB growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from April to May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil." [PFAF]
"General: Perennial herb from a bulb of a few larger, fleshy scales and numerous small, rice-grain bulblets; stems 10-25 cm tall, slender to sturdy, smooth." [IFBC-E-flora]
Habitat/Range "Dry shrublands, grasslands and open coniferous forests in the steppe and lower montane zones; infrequent in S BC east of the Coast-Cascade Mountains; E to AB and S to NM, UT, NV and N CA." [IFBC-E-flora]
Status: Native [E-flora]
Synonyms
- Lilium pudicum Pursh [E-flora]
- Ochrocodon pudicus (Pursh) Rydb. [E-flora]
Edible Uses
- Green Seedpods:
- F. affinis; "Immature seedpods - raw or cooked. A bitter flavour[172]." [PFAF]
- F. camschatcensis,F. pudica: "Late summer. The green seedpods can be eaten raw and added to stews, but they are quite bitter and less palatable than the autumn bulbs." [Schofield]
- F.pudica; "A delicious flavour[212]." [PFAF]
- Bulbs:
- F. camschatcensis, F. pudica: "The crisp, rice-like bulbs of chocolate lily can be eaten raw. The bulbs are a good source of starch, a commodity often difficult to obtain in the wilderness." [Schofield]
- Harvesting: "Late summer to early fall. I find the bulbs less bitter and much better flavored when gathered later in the season after the foliage has yellowed... Palatability varies not only with time of harvest (most bitter when in flower), but also with local soil conditions." [Schofield]
- Preparation: "Bulbs are highly versatile - try them boiled, mashed, or stir-fried and topped with butter, brown sugar, herbs, or sauces. Add them to casseroles. If bulbs are a bit bitter, try soaking overnight in water or cooking in a change of water. Adding lemon juice also reduces bitterness." [Schofield]
- Preservation: "For winter use, bulbs can be dried; add to soups and chowders, or grind to extend flour supplies." [Schofield]
- F.pudica; "Bulb - raw or cooked[46, 61, 161]. It can also be dried for later use[46]. Commonly eaten as a food by the native North Americans, the small bulbs were eaten raw and the larger ones cooked[270]. Rich in starch, it is best used in the autumn[172]. The raw bulb tastes like potatoes, when cooked it tastes like rice[212]. It can be eaten as a vegetable or can be added to soups etc[257]." [PFAF]
- F. Camschatcensis; "The bulbs, resembling tight clusters of white rice, were eaten by virtually all Northwest Coast peoples of British Columbia." [Turner, Kuhnlein] "Raw, cooked or dried for later use[2, 46, 105, 183]. A staple food in areas where it grows wild[177], when cooked it tastes like baked chestnuts[74]. One report says that the bulbs have a slightly bitter taste, even after cooking[256]. The best-tasting bulbs are said to come from coastal areas where the plants are occasionally covered with salt water[254]." [PFAF] "In Kamchatka, the women collect the roots, which are used in cookery in various ways; when roasted in embers, they supply the place of bread. Captain Cook said he boiled and ate these roots as potatoes and found them wholesome and pleasant. Royle says the bulbs are eaten in the Himalayan region." [Sturtevant EPW]
- Harvesting:"The bulbs grow relatively close to the surface and are easily extracted. They were dug, usually in spring before flowering or in summer or fall, after flowering, using a digging stick, a wooden spade, or the fingers. They were cooked immediately, or could be partially dried, then stored in a cool place." [Turner, Kuhnlein]
- Preparation: "A pudding is made by mixing the bulbs with the fruit of Empetrum nigrum[183]. The bulb is also dried and ground into a powder, then used as a flour or starch for making breads and soups[183]. The bulb is best if harvested in the autumn[172], it resembles a cluster of cooked rice grains[207]." [PFAF] "They were cooked by steaming for about 30 minutes in a cedarwood box, by boiling for a short time then mashing to a paste, or occasionally, by baking in ashes. Sometimes they were dried for winter use. They were usually eaten with oil of some kind, such as ooligan grease, and, more recently, with sugar or molasses. They were also cooked in stews and soups with fish or meat, or eaten raw with fish eggs. The Gitksan sometimes toasted the kernels and served them with the inner bark of western hemlock. The Kaigani Haida sometimes boiled them with the chopped leaves of western dock (Rumex occidentalis). Even when cooked, they are slightly bitter, and some people used to soak them in water overnight to reduce the bitter flavor." [Turner, Kuhnlein]
- F. Affinis; "Raw, cooked or dried for winter use.[2,161] Rich in starch, the bulb is best in the autumn.[172]" [PFAF] Eaten by most Coast and Interior Salish peoples, either boiled or steamed in pits, and were sometimes dried for winter use.[Turner, Kuhnlein] "The plant has a small bulb surrounded by rice-like bulblets. Both bulb and bulblets are used, when cooked they are tender and delicate, resembling real rice except for having a slightly bitter taste.[256] The roots were a staple food for some native North American Indian tribes.[257]" [PFAF]
Nutritional Info
Riceroot Lily – Fritillaria camschatcensis [Turner, Kuhnlein]
| Part: | Bulbs | Per 100 g fresh weight |
| Food Energy (Kcal) | 98 | Ash (g) | 1 | Potassium (mg) | - |
| Water (g) | 74 | Thiamine (mg) | 0.04 | Magnesium (mg) | 23 |
| Protein (g) | 2.9 | Riboflavin (mg) | 0.04 | Calcium (mg) | 10 |
| Fat (g) | 0.3 | Niacin (mg) | 0.2 | Phosphorus (mg) | 61 |
| Carbohydrate (g) | 21.8 | Vitamin C (mg) | 29 | Sodium (mg) | 18 |
| Crude Fiber (g) | 1.9 | Vitamin A (RE) | - | Iron (mg) | 2.2 |
| Zinc (mg) | 0.7 | Manganese (mg) | 0.4 | Copper (mg) | 0.2 |
Cultivation
- F. Affinis; "A woodland plant, preferring light soils[1]. It is best grown in a well-drained sandy woodland soil[42, 90, 134]. Plants are best grown in a bulb frame and kept rather dry in summer[90]. Water should be withheld in summer or hot spells[164]. A very ornamental and polymorphic plant[1]. The sub-species F. affinis tristulis. [Grant] is a triploid form that is exceptionally large flowered, robust and easily cultivated[90]. Plants flower within 3 - 5 years from seed[164]."[PFAF]
- F.pudica; "Best grown on a gritty well-drained sunny bank[42]. Plants must be kept dry in the summer[90, 134]. A very variable[270] and ornamental plant[1], but it is not easy to grow outdoors, though it has lived a long time in a bulb frame[90]. Flowers are produced in 4 - 6 years from seed[164]. The bulb produces bulbils freely[90]." [PFAF]
- F. Camschatcensis; "A woodland plant, preferring a moraine or rock garden[1]. Easily grown in a light moist but well-drained sandy woodland soil[42, 163, 200]. Prefers a moist peaty soil and partial shade and must not be allowed to become dry[90]. Another report says that it prefers a sunny position[42] whilst yet another says that it succeeds in full sun or light shade in a rich soil[200]. The plants often grow close to the sea and survive periodic inundation with salt water[256]. The dormant bulb is very hardy and has withstood soil temperatures down to -20oc, though the embryonic flower shoot will be damaged at temperatures around -15oc[214]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is very variable in size and flower colour[90]. The flowers are sweetly scented[245]. Plants flower within 3 - 5 years from seed[164]." [PFAF]
Propagation
- F. Affinis, F.pudica, F. Camschatcensis; "Seed - best sown as soon as ripe in a cold frame, it should germinate in the spring[1]. Protect from frost[134]. Stored seed should be sown as soon as possible and can take a year or more to germinate[134]. Sow the seed quite thinly to avoid the need to prick out the seedlings. Once they have germinated, give them an occasional liquid feed to ensure that they do not suffer mineral deficiency. Once they die down at the end of their second growing season, divide up the small bulbs, planting 2 - 3 to an 8cm deep pot. Grow them on for at least another year in light shade in the greenhouse before planting them out whilst dormant. Division of offsets in August[1]. The larger bulbs can be planted out direct into their permanent positions, but it is best to pot up the smaller bulbs and grow them on in a cold frame for a year before planting them out in the autumn. Bulb scales[163]." [PFAF]
Other Fritillaria Sp.
"Many species of Fritillaria have been used as antitussive and expectorant... in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for over 2000 years." [Saklani&Sahoo]
"140 compounds had been isolated from 35 species of Fritillaria. Amongst all compounds reported from different Fritillaria species, the majority (72.7%) belong to isosteroidal alkaloids with some steroidal alkaloids (11.5%) and non-alkaloids (15.8%). ...the major isosteroidal alkaloids are the primary active ingredients responsible for the antitussive activity (Lin et al., 2001)." [Saklani&Sahoo]
References
- [E-flora]
- Fritillaria affinis, https://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Fritillaria%20affinis&redblue=Both&lifeform=7, Accessed Dec 25, 2021
- Fritillaria camschatcensis, http://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Fritillaria%20camschatcensis&redblue=Both&lifeform=7, Accessed Dec 25, 2021
- Fritillaria pudica, http://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Fritillaria%20pudica&redblue=Both&lifeform=7, Accessed Dec 25, 2021
- [Jepson] 2013. Fritillaria, Dale W. McNeal & Bryan D. Ness, in Jepson Flora Project (eds.) Jepson eFlora, http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_IJM.pl?tid=9513, accessed on Jan 30 2015
- [PFAF]
- Fritillaria affinis, http://pfaf.org/USER/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Fritillaria+affinis, Accessed Dec 25, 2021
- Fritillaria camschatcensis, https://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Fritillaria+camschatcensis, Accessed Dec 25, 2021
- Fritillaria pudica, https://pfaf.org/User/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Fritillaria+pudica, Accessed Dec 25, 2021
- [Saklani&Sahoo] The genus fritillaria: a revew of its phytochemical and pharmacological perspectives, Arvind at al, int. J. Res. Phytochem. Pharmacol., 1(3),2011
Page last modified on
Saturday, December 25, 2021 4:36 PM
