Fritillaria (Beimu)

Fritillaria refers to a genus of perennial herbaceous plants in the Liliaceae family. The bulbs are deeply buried in the soil and covered with bulb scales. The stems are erect and unbranched, with basal leaves that have long stalks; the stem leaves are opposite, whorled, or scattered. The flowers are large or slightly smaller, typically bell-shaped, nodding, radially symmetrical, borne singly at the top or in racemes or umbels, and have leafy bracts. The seeds are numerous, flat, and have narrow wings along the edges. The plant derives its name from its shape, as noted in the Bencao Jing Jizhu, which states, “The shape resembles clustered cowries,” hence the name “Fritillaria.”

There are now over 85 species of Fritillaria, mainly distributed in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in the Mediterranean region, North America, and Central Asia. In China, the number of Fritillaria species far exceeds the original 20 species and two varieties. Fritillaria prefers a cool and moist climate, is hardy, but dislikes hot and dry conditions. It thrives in sunny environments with well-drained clay and can also grow in partial shade. After flowering, the bulbs wither and go dormant during the summer. To prevent the bulbs from rotting in the soil due to moisture, they should be dug up when the leaves turn yellow and stored in moist sawdust, sand, or peat.

Fritillaria has a long history of use in China. The earliest record is found in the Han Dynasty’s Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, where it is classified as a middle-grade herb. It is commonly used to clear heat, moisten the lungs, dissolve phlegm, and relieve cough, making it a frequently used traditional Chinese medicine for bronchitis and chronic bronchitis. It is suitable for use as an undergrowth plant in forests, and alpine species are ideal for rock gardens. Some species with less odor can also be used as cut flowers.

Botanical History

Origin and Distribution Research The establishment of the genus Fritillaria dates back to the 1550s, named “Fritillaria L.” by Linnaeus in Species Plantarum and Genera Plantarum. According to records, the genus contains about 60 species divided into five sections: Sect. Fritillaria (Fritillaria group), Sect. Rhinopetalum (Rhinopetalum group), Sect. Petillium (Petillium group), Sect. Theresia (Theresia group), and Sect. Liliorhiza (Liliorhiza group). The distribution range lies between latitudes 26°N and 65°N. In the Eurasian distribution area, the northern boundary is about 58°N to 60°N, such as the distribution of Fritillaria meleagris Linn. and Fritillaria cirrhosa D. Don. The southernmost species, like Fritillaria cirrhosa, are found in the Hengduan Mountains of Yunnan, China, around Yangbi, Dali, and Luquan, approximately at latitude 26°N. The easternmost species, Fritillaria camtschatcensis, are around 160°E, while the westernmost species, Fritillaria lusitania, are at approximately 9°W. In North America, the northern boundary of the distribution is in Wales, Alaska, around 65°N, 168°W, which represents the western and northern boundaries of Fritillaria distribution in North America. The southern boundary is around 32°N, as seen in Fritillaria biflora. The Mediterranean region has the most species of Fritillaria. Although only 39 species and three subspecies are distributed in the Iran-Turkey region, this area contains four of the five sections of Fritillaria, including the primitive Sect. Fritillaria and the more specialized Sect. Petillium, Sect. Rhinopetalum, and Sect. Theresia. However, the highly evolved Sect. Liliorhiza is not found in this region. The region not only has many primitive species but also has more specialized groups, making Iran-Turkey a diversification center for Fritillaria species. However, due to environmental influences, Fritillaria species have not fully developed in this region. In contrast, in the Mediterranean region, species from Sect. Fritillaria have undergone significant development, making it the center of abundance for the genus.

Morphological Characteristics

Fritillaria is a perennial herb with bulbs deeply buried in the soil, covered by bulb scales. Typically, the bulbs consist of 2(-3) whitish scales (each scale having 2-3 pairs of small inner scales), though some species have multiple scales surrounded by numerous small grain-like scales. The former type of bulb is nearly ovoid or spherical, while the latter often forms a rosette-like structure. The stem is erect, unbranched, with a portion located underground. Basal leaves have long stalks; stem leaves are opposite, whorled, or scattered, with tips that may or may not curl, and the base semi-clasping the stem.

The flowers are relatively large or slightly smaller, usually bell-shaped, nodding (but the pedicel gradually turns upwards after fertilization, becoming erect during the fruiting period), radially symmetrical, with a few slightly bilaterally symmetrical. They are either solitary or arranged in racemes or umbels, with leaf-like bracts. The tepals are oblong, spatulate to narrowly ovate, often fused, with a nectary at the base of the inner surface. There are 6 stamens, with basifixed or dorsifixed anthers that are two-lobed and dehisce inwardly. The style is 3-lobed or nearly entire; the stigma extends beyond the stamens. The ovary is trilocular with 2 rows of ovules per locule, with a central placentation. The capsule is 6-angled, often winged, and dehisces along the dorsal suture. Seeds are numerous, flat, with narrow wings along the edges.

Growth Environment

The growth environments for Fritillaria species vary slightly. For instance, Fritillaria cirrhosa typically grows in forests, under shrubs, on grasslands, riverbanks, or in mountain valleys and rock crevices. Fritillaria thunbergii thrives in shaded areas or bamboo groves on lower-altitude hills. Fritillaria ussuriensis is found in low-altitude forests, meadows, or river valleys. Fritillaria pallidiflora grows at altitudes of 1300-2000 meters in forests, grasslands, or sandy crevices, while Fritillaria przewalskii grows at altitudes of 1800-2300 meters in riverbank meadows, rock crevices, or moist, rocky areas. Fritillaria karelinii is commonly found in arid deserts or Artemisia steppes.

Fritillaria prefers cool, moist climates, is cold-hardy, and avoids hot, dry conditions. It thrives in sunny environments with well-drained clay but can also grow in semi-shaded conditions. After flowering, the bulb withers and enters a dormant phase during the summer. To prevent rot caused by moisture in the soil, the bulbs should be lifted when the leaves turn yellow and stored in moist sawdust, sand, or peat.

Distribution Range

Fritillaria is primarily distributed in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, especially in the Mediterranean region, North America, and Central Asia, with the most diverse species found in the northern Mediterranean, Iran, and Turkey. In China, Fritillaria species are found in all provinces except Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Taiwan, Jiangxi, Inner Mongolia, and Guizhou (where their presence is suspected but not confirmed by specimen collection). The most species-rich regions are Sichuan (8 species) and Xinjiang (6 species). Based on distribution areas, they are generally divided into the Hengduan Mountains and adjacent regions, the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, and the Xinjiang region.

Growth Habits

Fritillaria species have slightly different growth habits depending on the specific environmental conditions and geographical regions in which they are found.

Major Value

Medicinal Value

The herbal medicine “Fritillaria” refers to the dried bulbs of the Fritillaria plant, which has a long history of use in China. The earliest record dates back to the Han dynasty’s “Shennong Ben Cao Jing,” where it is listed as a medium-grade herb. It is commonly used to clear heat, moisten the lungs, resolve phlegm, and relieve cough. The Fritillaria-derived medicinal materials are categorized into six types based on their source: Fritillaria cirrhosa, Fritillaria thunbergii, Fritillaria pallidiflora, Fritillaria verticillata, Fritillaria ussuriensis, and Fritillaria anhuiensis, with Fritillaria anhuiensis being the only type not included in the 2015 edition of the “Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China.” Fritillaria cirrhosa is considered the highest quality, sourced from various species including Fritillaria cirrhosa, Fritillaria unibracteata, Fritillaria przewalskii, Fritillaria taipaiensis, and Fritillaria delavayi. Fritillaria thunbergii is the most commercially available, with its primary source being Fritillaria thunbergii and its variant Fritillaria thunbergii var. platyphylla. Fritillaria pallidiflora is sourced from Fritillaria pallidiflora and Fritillaria verticillata. Fritillaria ussuriensis is the dried bulb of Fritillaria ussuriensis, widely cultivated in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, with a production second only to Fritillaria thunbergii. Fritillaria anhuiensis is the dried bulb of Fritillaria anhuiensis, a new type of Fritillaria medicinal material developed in the 20th century.

The bioactive compounds in Fritillaria, primarily alkaloids, have been found in over 130 varieties, most of which are steroidal alkaloids. These alkaloids are categorized into two main types based on their carbon skeleton: isosteroidal alkaloids and steroidal alkaloids. The isosteroidal alkaloids are further divided into cevanine (A), jervine (B), and veratramine (C) types based on the E and F ring connections, with 80% being cevanine, making it a characteristic chemical component of the Fritillaria genus. Steroidal alkaloids are divided into solanidine (D) and secosolanidine (E) types based on the connection of the nitrogen element to the indole or piperidine ring.

Economic Value

Due to its significant medicinal and economic value, Fritillaria (Bei Mu) has become an important source of income for local communities in the production regions.

Ornamental Value

Fritillaria is suitable as an understory ground cover plant, with alpine species ideal for rock gardens, and those with minimal odor can be used as cut flowers. The flowers of Fritillaria are graceful and elegant, with unique and attractive fruit and leaf forms, and the blossoms are vibrant and colorful. Some species have a delicate and pleasant fragrance that is soothing and refreshing.

Outside of China, species such as Fritillaria persica, Fritillaria meleagris, and Fritillaria thunbergii (Zhe Bei Mu) are cultivated as ornamental plants. In Europe and North America, Fritillaria species are often planted in gardens or containers for decorative purposes, showcasing the ornamental value of this genus. In China, only a few species are used for landscaping and beautification, such as Fritillaria pallidiflora and Fritillaria ussuriensis, which are early spring ephemeral plants and valuable genetic resources for early spring flowers and landscaping in northern China. Fritillaria thunbergii is suitable for cultivation under forest canopies and is ideal for shaded environments.

Fritillaria blooms early in the year (February to May), with bell-shaped, drooping flowers. The perianth segments vary in color (yellow, yellow with purple spots, yellow-green with purple squares, purple-red with white spots, white, etc.), with green or purple-red stems, and leaves that are either broad and ribbon-like (Anhui Bei Mu) or fine and silky (Southern Anhui Bei Mu), with curled or hooked leaf tips. These characteristics make it an excellent flower for early spring viewing. Among these, Fritillaria anhuiensis, Fritillaria hupehensis, Fritillaria anhuiensis var. hupehensis, and Fritillaria hupehensis var. alba have high ornamental value and are suitable for planting in gardens and along roadsides. These species are easy to cultivate and propagate, and when introduced to Hefei, they have grown and multiplied well.

Cultural Significance

Fritillaria gets its name from its shape. As described in the “Annotations on the Materia Medica,” it is named “Bei Mu” because it resembles a cluster of shells.