Biological Flora of Britain and Ireland: <i>Fritillaria meleagris</i>

This account presents information on all aspects of the biology Fritillaria meleagris L. (Snake's Head Fritillary). The main topics are presented within standard framework Biological Flora Britain and Ireland: distribution, habitat, communities, responses to biotic factors, environment, structure physiology, phenology, floral seed characters, herbivores disease, history, conservation. is a perennial spring bulb that grows in wet mesotrophic meadows openings woodlands. In Britain, it localised floodplain but occurs as an intentional introduction range habitats. There several large populations floodplains River Thames its tributaries Wiltshire, Berkshire Oxfordshire. alluvium soils often overlaying calcareous gravel with relatively wide pH range. It favours high ground water table during winter months followed by good drainage soil throughout summer. plants regularly experience prolonged dormancy. From 30% 99% population can remain below-ground for more than year. produces nectar mainly pollinated April bumblebee queens England. Other pollinators include insects orders Hymenoptera, Diptera Lepidoptera, particularly bumblebees, hoverflies butterflies. release seeds from pod May–June take month. Seeds require warm cold treatments embryo fully form. Air pockets aid flotation surface flood up do not form bank, germinating either or bare ground. declined 20th century due agricultural improvement ploughing grasslands. all, 20 so remaining survive ancient hay meadows. Several British locations receive statutory protection designated sites. However, recent work suggests F. was probably introduced ornamental, level receives therefore likely change.