Maximowicz’s fritillary

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Maximowicz’s fritillary

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Fritillaria maximowiczii f. flaviflora

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Liliales, it is classified under the family Liliaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Fritillaria, specifically as the species Fritillaria maximowiczii.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several distinct regions of East Asia. In the vast territory of Siberia, it can be found specifically within the Chita region. Its presence extends into the Russian Far East, where it inhabits the Amur, Khabarovsk, and Primorye areas. Furthermore, the species is documented to grow within the Inner Mongolia region of China. Together, these locations define the natural range of this medicinal species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Fritillaria maximowiczii is characterized by its specific preference for forest habitats, where it thrives within shaded or semi-shaded woodland environments. This species occupies a relatively narrow altitudinal band, demonstrating a specialized niche within its ecosystem. Its elevational range is strictly defined, with a minimum altitude of 1400 m AMSL and a maximum altitude of 1480 m AMSL. This tight distribution results in a mean elevation of approximately 1440 m AMSL, indicating that the plant is highly adapted to the specific climatic and soil conditions found within this precise montane forest stratum.

Elevational range max:

1480 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1440 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1400 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest

Life history

The life history of Fritillaria maximowiczii is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a species that relies on underground storage organs to survive unfavorable conditions, its life form is classified as a geophyte, which falls under the broader category of cryptophytes. This specialized growth strategy enables the plant to remain dormant beneath the soil surface during periods of environmental stress, emerging only when conditions are optimal for its developmental cycle.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Fritillaria maximowiczii is characterized by its stature as a self-supporting, terrestrial plant that grows independently without parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. It reaches a plant height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.27 m to a maximum of 0.54 m, with an average height of approximately 0.405 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.54 m

Plant height mean:

0.405 m

Plant height min:

0.27 m

Physiology

The physiological development of Fritillaria maximowiczii is characterized by specific morphological variations in its foliage, which serve as key indicators of its vegetative growth patterns. The leaf dimensions exhibit a notable range, with leaf lengths typically measuring a mean of 7.25 cm, though they can fluctuate between a minimum of 4.5 cm and a maximum of 10 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width displays a specialized narrow profile, ranging from a minimum width of 0.3 cm to a maximum width of 1.3 cm. These dimensional parameters reflect the plant's structural adaptations and its capacity for photosynthetic surface area optimization within its natural environment.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length mean:

7.25 cm

Leaf length min:

4.5 cm

Leaf width max:

1.3 cm

Leaf width min:

0.3 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Fritillaria maximowiczii is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering cycle and the development of distinct fruit structures. The flowering period is concentrated in the month of June, serving as the primary window for pollination. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces fruits that exhibit specific morphological dimensions. The fruit length is variable, ranging from a minimum of 1.6 cm to a maximum of 2.2 cm, with a recorded mean length of 1.9 cm. In terms of width, the fruit maintains a highly consistent profile, with a minimum, mean, and maximum width all measured at 2 cm, indicating a uniform thickness throughout the development of the fruit.

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit length max:

2.2 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.9 cm

Fruit length min:

1.6 cm

Fruit width max:

2 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Fritillaria maximowiczii has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 23-Isokuroyurinidine, Kuroyurinidine.

23-Isokuroyurinidine

1. Phytochemistry

Kuroyurinidine

1. Phytochemistry

Preparations

Fritillaria maximowiczii has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include bulbs.

Bulbs

1. Phytochemistry