Fritillaria cirrhosa aka Sichuan Fritillary

Fritillaria cirrhosa is a bulbous plant in the lily family. Its common names include yellow Himalayan fritillary and Chuan Bei Mu. Its native range runs from Pakistan to central China. Records include Nepal, Bhutan, northern Myanmar, and parts of India. It grows in temperate mountain regions, in forests, scrub, and meadows. Wild sites include open, moist, stony slopes and alpine thickets. Reported habitats lie at elevations of 10,500–15,100 feet [3,200–4,600 metres].

This plant grows from a small bulb beneath the soil. It reaches about 1.6 feet [0.5 metres] in height. Its spread is about 0.3 feet [0.1 metres]. The bulb measures about 0.07 feet [0.02 metres] across. Flowers appear from April to May. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the flowers. Its small size suits the edges of woodland gardens. Sites with dappled shade also fall within its stated needs.

Grow it in moist soil that drains well. Sandy and loamy soils suit it, with loam preferred. It accepts mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline conditions. It can grow in full sun or partial shade. Plants For A Future also reports a preference for peat-bed conditions. Do not let the soil dry out. One recorded planting thrived in a sunny, stony Scottish bed. Yet the species does not thrive in every garden. The listed USDA hardiness range is zones 4–8.

Seed and bulb offsets provide ways to raise more plants. Sow fresh seed in a cold frame when ripe. Fresh seed may sprout the next spring. Stored seed can take a year or longer to germinate. Sow thinly so young plants need less handling. Young bulbs need several growing seasons under cover before planting out. Move them into the garden while they are dormant. Offsets can be divided in August.

The bulb has recorded food and medicinal uses. People boil or roast it as a vegetable. Its taste combines bitter and sweet notes. Chinese herbal practice uses the dried bulb for coughs and other chest complaints. These uses do not establish that home treatment is safe. The source advises care under a qualified practitioner. It also reports compounds that affect blood pressure and movement. Its separate hazard entry lists no known hazards. That brief entry should not override the medicinal caution.