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Fritillaria cirrhosa - D.Don.

Common Name Chuan Bei Mu
Family Liliaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Mountain slopes in alpine and sub-alpine meadows and scrub, usually on open stony moist hillsides[90, 91] Forests, alpine thickets, meadows, flood lands and moist places, 3200 - 4600 metres[266].
Range E. Asia - Himalayas - Nepal to China.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Fritillaria cirrhosa Chuan Bei Mu


Fritillaria cirrhosa Chuan Bei Mu

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of bulb
Fritillaria cirrhosa 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 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.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Bulb - boiled or roasted as a vegetable[272]. The bulb is bitter-sweet. The bulb is about 2cm in diameter[266].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Antispasmodic  Antitussive  Demulcent  Expectorant  Febrifuge  Pectoral

The bulbs of Chuan bei mu are antitussive, astringent, demulcent, expectorant, febrifuge and pectoral[91, 176, 238]. They contain fritimine which lowers blood pressure, diminishes excitability of respiratory centres, paralyses voluntary movement and counters the effects of opium[61, 176, 238]. The dried bulb is used internally in the treatment of coughs, bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, feverish illnesses, abscesses etc[238]. The bulbs also have a folk history of use against cancer of the breast and lungs in China[218, 238]. This remedy should only be used under the supervision of a qualified practitioner, excessive doses can cause breathing difficulties and heart failure[238]. The bulbs are harvested in the winter whilst they are dormant and are dried for later use[238].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in a well-drained loamy soil[42]. Prefers peat bed conditions, the plant should not be allowed to dry out[134]. In cultivation at Kew[42] and thriving in a sunny stony bed at Keillour Castle in Perthshire[90], this species does not, however, do well in all gardens[1]. It is much valued as a herbal remedy in China[163]. This species is closely related to F. meleagris[42].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

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].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Fritillaria affinisChocolate Lily, Checker lilyBulb0.6 4-8  LMSNM300
Fritillaria atropurpureaPurple Fritillary, Spotted fritillaryBulb0.6 4-8  LMSNDM21 
Fritillaria camschatcensisKamchatka Lily, Kamchatka fritillaryBulb0.5 4-8  LMSNM40 
Fritillaria imperialisCrown Imperial, Imperial fritillary, Crown Imperial FritillaryBulb1.0 7-9 SMHSNDM21 
Fritillaria meleagrisSnakehead Fritillary, Chequered lily, Checkered FritillaryBulb0.3 3-7 MLMHSNM01 
Fritillaria pallidifloraPale-Flowered FritillaryBulb0.6 3-7  LMSNM03 
Fritillaria pudicaYellow FritillaryBulb0.2 3-7  LMSNDM30 
Fritillaria roylei Bulb0.6 4-8  LMSNM02 
Fritillaria sewerzowii Bulb0.3 4-8  LMSNDM01 
Fritillaria thunbergiiZhe Bei MuBulb0.6 7-10  LMSNM23 
Fritillaria verticillata Bulb0.6 4-8  LMSNDM23 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

D.Don.

Botanical References

200266

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Subject : Fritillaria cirrhosa  
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