Description
Fritillaria messanensis (also called Messina Fritillary, among many other common names) is a bulbous perennial native to Italy and Sicily. It has a basal rosette of lance-shaped leaves and in spring, bears nodding, bell-shaped, yellow-green flowers. It grows in dry grassland, scrub, and open woodland, at elevations up to 1,500 meters.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Fritillaria messanensis is bell-shaped, with a yellow-green color and a sweet scent. The seed is a round, dark brown nutlet. The seedlings are small, with a single stem and two leaves.
Cultivation and Propagation
Fritillaria messanensis is a bulbous perennial that grows from 15 to 30 cm tall. It prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Propagation is by division of the bulbs in spring or autumn.