Fritillaria roylei
Fritillaria roylei
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Pl. E36A — Fritillaria roylei
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IOverview
Overview
Fritillaria roylei, known as Chinese Fritillary or Royle's Fritillary, is a bulbous plant native to the mountainous regions of China and neighboring countries such as Nepal, Pakistan, and Myanmar. It thrives in partial sun to full shade and prefers moist, light (sandy) to medium soil. Hardy from zones 4-8, this plant can grow up to 0.6 meters tall. Fritillaria roylei is notable for its edible bulb, which has been used both medicinally and as a food source in the native range. One distinctive feature of this plant is its bell-shaped flowers, often marked with brown or purple spots, adding ornamental value to gardens where it can be cultivated.
Quick answers
What is Fritillaria roylei?
Fritillaria roylei, known as Chinese Fritillary or Royle's Fritillary, is a bulbous plant native to the mountainous regions of China and neighboring countries such as Nepal, Pakistan, and Myanmar. It thrives in partial sun to full shade and prefers moist, light (sandy) to medium soil.
What is Fritillaria roylei used for?
Traditionally used for stress & anxiety, digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 2 evidence-ranked uses of Fritillaria roylei
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Fritillaria roylei appears in herbal sources around calming and relaxation traditions, often as a decoction. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original moderate confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
- Fritillaria roylei has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine to support digestive health, particularly for symptoms like nausea and vomiting. Its bulb is often prepared as a decoction.
The mechanism by which Fritillaria roylei supports digestion is not fully characterised but may involve compounds that interact with the gastrointestinal system to alleviate discomfort.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Fritillaria roylei thrives in full to partial sun and prefers moist, well-draining soil that is light (sandy) or medium. It grows best in hardiness zones 4-8, making it suitable for temperate regions. The plant reaches a height of about 0.6 meters and requires consistent moisture. Propagation can be done through bulbs.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium
Hardiness
4-8
Mature size
0.6 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Fritillaria roylei for the first time
7steps
Start with Fritillaria roylei as a simple, low-maintenance addition to your garden.
- 1
What you'll need
Bulbs, well-draining soil, a container or planting area.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in autumn for spring blooms.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use light, sandy soil with good drainage. Ensure containers have holes for water to escape.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Plant bulbs 10-15 cm deep, spacing them about 15 cm apart in the ground or a container.
- 5
First two weeks
Water sparingly. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide partial sun to full sun. Water when the top inch of soil dries out, especially in dry periods.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
No need for harvesting; focus on maintaining plant health and allowing it to go dormant naturally.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Bulb
Edible uses: The bulb of Fritillaria roylei is edible and can be prepared in various ways. It is often used raw or cooked, though specific cooking methods are not detailed in the provided data. The bulb can also be dried for later use.
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
15 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
15 native · 0 introducedDistribution across2 continents· 15 native
Europe3 regions
native (3)AlbaniaGreeceItaly
Asia4 regions
native (4)ChinaMyanmarNepalPakistan
Broader regions
native:East Himalaya, West Himalaya, Kriti, Yugoslavia
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
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- Citation
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