Fritillaria imperialis
Table of Contents
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID6440264c764c2053493108 |
| Scientific name | Fritillaria imperialis |
| Authority | L. |
| First published in | Sp. Pl. : 303 (1753) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
Suggest a correction!
Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Among peoples of eastern Anatolia and the Anatolian Black Sea region of Turkey, the bulb of Fritillaria imperialis is steeped or macerated in cold water to make a mild expectorant tea that relieves cough and bronchial irritation (Ertuğ, 2010). In rural Iran (especially Khorasan), pharmacists and traditional healers have long prepared strong decoctions of the dried bulb for respiratory complaints, often in small, precise doses (Mirzaei et al., 2009). Herbal practitioners across the Caucasus and parts of Central Asia also document the use of a bulb infusion in small quantities for cough and wheeze, with additional reference to poultices of warmed bulb material for chest rubs (Bussmann, 2014). These references consistently note the bulb as the principal part used and warn that strong preparations are restricted in dose and duration.
Practical recipe for a mild expectorant “bulb tea” (small-batch preparation). Place 2 g of the clean, thoroughly dried and thinly sliced bulb in a saucepan with 250 ml cold water; bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes, then remove from heat and steep uncovered for 10 minutes. Strain and drink one small cup (about 60–100 ml) once daily; do not repeat more than three consecutive days. Important safety note: the plant contains steroidal alkaloids (notably imperialine) that are emetic and cardiotonic; it should not be used during pregnancy or by young children, and anyone taking cardiac or antidiabetic medications should avoid it without professional guidance.
Active constituents reported for this species include imperialine, imperialine-3β-D-glucoside, peimisine, peiminine, and related steroidal alkaloids; these compounds have documented expectorant, antitussive, and smooth-muscle–modulating activities and plausibly explain the traditional respiratory uses (Duke, 1985; Loizzo et al., 2008). Modern relevance: interest in these alkaloids continues in pharmacological studies, but commercial availability in the West is limited and most non‑Asian preparations rely on small, traditional batches prepared from local, carefully identified plants.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
- Ornamental bulbs sold by horticultural nurseries for garden planting.
- Cut‑flower stems used in floral arrangements and displays.
Industrial and craft applications:
- The species is cultivated on a commercial scale in Europe, the United States and parts of Asia for the ornamental trade. Nurseries propagate bulbs vegetatively and sell them to consumers and landscape designers.
- The long, pendulous inflorescences are harvested as cut flowers for the florist industry.
- The plant is used in botanical research; its large bulbs and distinctive flower morphology make it a model for studying bulb development, alkaloid biosynthesis, and the evolution of the Liliaceae.
- Herbarium specimens and living material serve as reference material in systematic studies and in the development of plant‑identification databases.
Properties relevant to use:
- Bulbs are large (5–10 cm diameter) and store considerable starch reserves, allowing vegetative propagation and rapid garden establishment.
- The plant is winter‑hardy to USDA zone 6 (–23 °C) and thrives in well‑drained, loamy soils, contributing to reliable ornamental production.
- The species produces steroidal alkaloids such as imperialine and peimisine; these compounds are not exploited commercially but are of interest for phytochemical analysis and as chemical standards in research laboratories.
- The vivid orange‑red, bell‑shaped flowers and glossy foliage provide high aesthetic value, supporting its use as a decorative cut flower.
Standards and regulation:
- Trade in ornamental bulbs follows national plant‑health regulations. In the European Union, bulbs are subject to the EU plant‑passport system (Council Directive 2000/29/EC and Regulation EU 2016/2031) to prevent the spread of quarantine pests.
- International trade may also require phytosanitary certificates in accordance with the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).
Sustainability and sourcing:
- Fritillaria imperialis is cultivated almost exclusively from cultivated stock; wild collection is rare and not a source of commercial material.
- Propagation by bulb offsets minimizes genetic erosion and allows sustained production without depleting natural populations.
- Production is spread across temperate regions, reducing pressure on any single locality.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Imperialis comosa | Moench | Methodus : 305 (1794) |
| Petilium imperiale | J.St.-Hil. | Expos. Fam. Nat. 1: 120 (1805) |
| Fritillaria imperialis var. maxima | Eeden | Album Fl. Haarlem, Duch Bulb Pl. t. 34. 1872 |
| Petilium imperiale | Jaume |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | imperial fritillary |
| Arabic | بوقية إمبراطورية |
| Arabic | أكليل الملك |
| Bulgarian | императорска ведрица |
| Bosnian | carska krunica |
| Czech | řebčík královský |
| Danish | kejserkrone |
| German | kaiserkrone |
| diq | vilıka sermonıke |
| Estonian | harilik püvilill (keisrikroon) |
| Persian | لاله واژگون اشک مریم |
| Persian | لالهٔ واژگون اشک مریم |
| Finnish | keisarinpikarililja |
| Finnish | keisarinkruunu |
| Finnish | keisaripikarililja |
| French | fritillaire imperiale |
| French | fritillaire impériale |
| Upper Sorbian | wšědna carjownica |
| Upper Sorbian | wisate króny |
| Upper Sorbian | smjerdźaca zwóńca |
| Upper Sorbian | kejžorska króna |
| Upper Sorbian | jědojte zwony |
| Upper Sorbian | carica |
| Hungarian | császárkorona |
| Hungarian | császárliliom |
| Japanese | ヨウラクユリ |
| Japanese | フリチラリア・インペリアリス |
| Japanese | フリチラリア |
| Japanese | オウカンユリ |
| ku | zengila zoma |
| Lithuanian | daugiažiedė margutė |
| Norwegian Bokmål | keiserkrone |
| Dutch | keizerskroon |
| Norwegian Nynorsk | keisarkrone |
| Polish | szachownica cesarska |
| Polish | cesarska korona |
| rsk | Царска коруна |
| Russian | Рябчик императорский |
| Slovak | korunka kráľovská |
| Slovak | korunkovka kráľovská |
| Slovenian | cesarski tulipan |
| Swedish | kejsarkrona |
| Turkish | ters lale, ağlayan gelin |
| Ukrainian | Рябчик царський |
| Chinese | 花贝母 |
| Chinese | 花貝母 |
| Chinese | 皇冠贝母 |
| Chinese | 王贝母 |
Varieties (abbr. var.) Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Fritillaria imperialis var. imperialis | Unknown | |
| Fritillaria imperialis var. kashmirensis | Wietsma | Pl. Syst. Evol. 301: 1052 (2014) |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!| Alternate between 4°C and 20°C for 3 months each, over several cycles, with an extended germination period. |
| Sow seeds immediately as their viability decreases rapidly, or they best germinate when fresh. If stored, seeds might need temperature cycling and patience to germinate. |
| grow seedlings at cool temperature; leave in pot for 2 years |
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Asia-temperate click to expand
-
Western Asia
- Afghanistan
- Iran
- Iraq
- Turkey
-
Western Asia
-
Asia-tropical click to expand
-
Indian Subcontinent
- Pakistan
- West Himalaya
-
Indian Subcontinent
-
Europe click to expand
-
Middle Europe
- Austria
-
Southeastern Europe
- Bulgaria
-
Middle Europe
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000767851 |
| USDA Plants | FRIM |
| Tropicos | 18400214 |
| INPN | 98970 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:535166-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-306669 |
| Missouri Botanical Garden | 263696 |
| PFAF | Fritillaria imperialis |
| Open Tree Of Life | 1097247 |
| Observations.org | 6797 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 279667 |
| NBN Atlas | NBNSYS0500000254 |
| IPNI | 535166-1 |
| iNaturalist | 437502 |
| GBIF | 5300716 |
| Freebase | /m/0k9yk |
| EPPO | FRIIM |
| EOL | 1088518 |
| Elurikkus | 209275 |
| USDA GRIN | 401675 |
| Wikipedia | Fritillaria_imperialis |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
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Phytochemical Profile Top
Add a new one!
Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids | |||||
| (1R,4aS,4bR,7R,10aS)-7-ethenyl-1,4a,7-trimethyl-3,4,4b,5,6,8,10,10a-octahydro-2H-phenanthrene-1-carboxylic acid | 101324732 | Click to see CC1(CCC2C(=CCC3C2(CCCC3(C)C(=O)O)C)C1)C=C | 302.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-962464 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Pregnane steroids / Gluco/mineralocorticoids, progestogins and derivatives | |||||
| (3R,5S,8R,9S,10R,13R,14S,17R)-3-hydroxy-17-[(1S)-1-(3-hydroxy-5-methylpyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-10,13-dimethyl-1,2,3,4,5,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-tetradecahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-6-one | 162966838 | Click to see CC1=CC(=C(N=C1)C(C)C2CCC3C2(CCC4C3CC(=O)C5C4(CCC(C5)O)C)C)O | 425.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00569-1 |
| (3R,5S,8S,9S,10R,13S,14S,17R)-3-hydroxy-17-[(1S)-1-(3-hydroxy-5-methylpyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-10,13-dimethyl-1,2,3,4,5,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-tetradecahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-6-one | 12111957 | Click to see CC1=CC(=C(N=C1)C(C)C2CCC3C2(CCC4C3CC(=O)C5C4(CCC(C5)O)C)C)O | 425.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00569-1 |
| 3-Hydroxy-17-[1-(3-hydroxy-5-methyl-2-pyridinyl)ethyl]-10,13-dimethyl-1,2,3,4,5,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-tetradecahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-6-one | 162966835 | Click to see | 425.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00569-1 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Steroidal alkaloids / Cerveratrum-type alkaloids | |||||
| (1R,2R,6R,9S,10R,11R,14S,15S,17R,18S,20S,23R,24S)-6,10,23-trimethyl-4-azahexacyclo[12.11.0.02,11.04,9.015,24.018,23]pentacosane-17,20-diol | 10387159 | Click to see CC1CCC2C(C3CCC4C(C3CN2C1)CC5C4CC(C6C5(CCC(C6)O)C)O)C | 415.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.50.1013 |
| (1R,2R,6R,9S,11R,14S,15S,17R,18S,20S,23R,24S)-6,10,23-trimethyl-4-azahexacyclo[12.11.0.02,11.04,9.015,24.018,23]pentacosane-17,20-diol | 101635474 | Click to see | 415.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.50.1013 |
| (1R,2R,6S,8R,9R,11S,14S,15S,18S,20S,23R,24R)-8,20-dihydroxy-6,8,23-trimethyl-4-azahexacyclo[12.11.0.02,11.04,9.015,24.018,23]pentacosan-17-one | 162936068 | Click to see CC1CC(C2CC3CCC4C(C3CN2C1)CC5C4CC(=O)C6C5(CCC(C6)O)C)(C)O | 429.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19823150211 |
| (1R,2R,6S,8S,9R,11R,14S,15S,17R,18S,20S,23R,24S)-6,8,23-trimethyl-4-azahexacyclo[12.11.0.02,11.04,9.015,24.018,23]pentacosane-17,20-diol | 163188490 | Click to see | 415.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959507 |
| (1R,2R,6S,8S,9R,11R,14S,15S,18S,20S,23R,24S)-20-hydroxy-6,8,23-trimethyl-4-azahexacyclo[12.11.0.02,11.04,9.015,24.018,23]pentacosan-17-one | 163073438 | Click to see | 413.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959507 |
| (1R,2S,6S,9S,11R,14S,15S,17R,18S,20S,23R,24S)-6,10,23-trimethyl-4-azahexacyclo[12.11.0.02,11.04,9.015,24.018,23]pentacosane-17,20-diol | 101634962 | Click to see | 415.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.50.1013 |
| (1R,2S,6S,9S,11S,14S,15S,18S,20S,23R,24S)-10,20-dihydroxy-6,10,23-trimethyl-4-azahexacyclo[12.11.0.02,11.04,9.015,24.018,23]pentacosan-17-one | 102063129 | Click to see | 429.60 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00323-Y https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959507 |
| (5alpha,8xi,10xi,13xi,25xi)-Cevane-3,6,20-triol | 139291898 | Click to see CC1CCC2C(C3CCC4C(C3CN2C1)CC5C4CC(C6C5(CCC(C6)O)C)O)(C)O | 431.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959507 |
| (6S,10R,17R,23R)-6,10,23-trimethyl-4-azahexacyclo[12.11.0.02,11.04,9.015,24.018,23]pentacosane-17,20-diol | 5316479 | Click to see | 415.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CHIN.200302187 |
| 20-Hydroxy-6,8,23-trimethyl-4-azahexacyclo[12.11.0.02,11.04,9.015,24.018,23]pentacosan-17-one | 163073437 | Click to see CC1CC(C2CC3CCC4C(C3CN2C1)CC5C4CC(=O)C6C5(CCC(C6)O)C)C | 413.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959507 |
| 6,10,23-Trimethyl-4-azahexacyclo[12.11.0.02,11.04,9.015,24.018,23]pentacosane-17,20-diol | 3339044 | Click to see CC1CCC2C(C3CCC4C(C3CN2C1)CC5C4CC(C6C5(CCC(C6)O)C)O)C | 415.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.50.1013 |
| 6,8,23-Trimethyl-4-azahexacyclo[12.11.0.02,11.04,9.015,24.018,23]pentacosane-17,20-diol | 4600130 | Click to see | 415.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959507 |
| 8,20-Dihydroxy-6,8,23-trimethyl-4-azahexacyclo[12.11.0.02,11.04,9.015,24.018,23]pentacosan-17-one | 162936066 | Click to see CC1CC(C2CC3CCC4C(C3CN2C1)CC5C4CC(=O)C6C5(CCC(C6)O)C)(C)O | 429.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19823150211 |
| Ebeiedinone | 5316984 | Click to see | 413.60 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00323-Y https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959507 |
| Forticine | 10364556 | Click to see CC1CCC2C(C3CCC4C(C3CN2C1)CC5C4CC(C6C5(CCC(C6)O)C)O)C | 415.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.50.1013 |
| Hupehenine | 14240934 | Click to see CC1CCC2C(C3CCC4C(C3CN2C1)CC5C4CC(C6C5(CCC(C6)O)C)O)C | 415.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.50.1013 |
| Imperialine | 442977 | Click to see CC1CCC2C(C3CCC4C(C3CN2C1)CC5C4CC(=O)C6C5(CCC(C6)O)C)(C)O | 429.60 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1002/CHIN.200302187 https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00323-Y https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.50.1013 |
| Kashmirine | 5221 | Click to see | 429.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.50.1013 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Piperidines | |||||
| (1R,2S,10R,11S,12S,14S,15S,17R,18S,20S,23R,24S)-6,10,23-trimethyl-4-azahexacyclo[12.11.0.02,11.04,9.015,24.018,23]pentacos-7-ene-12,17,20-triol | 101189430 | Click to see | 429.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.50.1013 |
| (3S,4aS,5R,6aR,6bR,9S,10aR,11aS,11bR)-9-[(1S)-1-[(2R,5S)-1,5-dimethylpiperidin-2-yl]ethyl]-10a,11b-dimethyl-2,3,4,4a,5,6,6a,6b,9,10,11,11a-dodecahydro-1H-benzo[a]fluorene-3,5-diol | 162911345 | Click to see | 429.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00569-1 |
| (3S,4aS,6aR,6bR,9S,10aR,11aS,11bR)-9-[(1S)-1-[(2R,5S)-1,5-dimethylpiperidin-2-yl]ethyl]-3-hydroxy-10a,11b-dimethyl-1,2,3,4,4a,6,6a,6b,9,10,11,11a-dodecahydrobenzo[a]fluoren-5-one | 163049353 | Click to see | 427.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00569-1 |
| (3S,4aS,6aR,6bS,9S,10aR,11aS,11bR)-9-[(1S)-1-(1,5-dimethylpiperidin-2-yl)ethyl]-3-hydroxy-10a,11b-dimethyl-1,2,3,4,4a,6,6a,6b,9,10,11,11a-dodecahydrobenzo[a]fluoren-5-one | 101243697 | Click to see | 427.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CHIN.200333201 |
| (3S,4aS,6aR,6bS,9S,11aS,11bR)-9-[(1R)-1-[(2S,5S)-1,5-dimethylpiperidin-2-yl]ethyl]-3-hydroxy-10,11b-dimethyl-2,3,4,4a,6,6a,6b,7,8,9,11,11a-dodecahydro-1H-benzo[a]fluoren-5-one | 163190066 | Click to see | 427.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00569-1 |
| (3S,4aS,6aR,6bS,9S,11aS,11bR)-9-[(1S)-1-[(2R,5S)-1,5-dimethylpiperidin-2-yl]ethyl]-3-hydroxy-10,11b-dimethyl-2,3,4,4a,6,6a,6b,7,8,9,11,11a-dodecahydro-1H-benzo[a]fluoren-5-one | 162922854 | Click to see | 427.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00569-1 |
| 20-Hydroxy-6,10,23-trimethyl-4-azahexacyclo[12.11.0.02,11.04,9.015,24.018,23]pentacos-2(11)-en-17-one | 78172992 | Click to see CC1CCC2C(C3=C(CN2C1)C4CC5C(C4CC3)CC(=O)C6C5(CCC(C6)O)C)C | 411.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959507 |
| 6,10,23-Trimethyl-4-azahexacyclo[12.11.0.02,11.04,9.015,24.018,23]pentacos-7-ene-12,17,20-triol | 162951203 | Click to see | 429.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.50.1013 |
| 9-[1-(1,5-dimethylpiperidin-2-yl)ethyl]-10a,11b-dimethyl-2,3,4,4a,5,6,6a,6b,9,10,11,11a-dodecahydro-1H-benzo[a]fluorene-3,5-diol | 162911344 | Click to see | 429.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00569-1 |
| 9-[1-(1,5-dimethylpiperidin-2-yl)ethyl]-3-hydroxy-10,11b-dimethyl-2,3,4,4a,6,6a,6b,7,8,9,11,11a-dodecahydro-1H-benzo[a]fluoren-5-one | 162922853 | Click to see | 427.70 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00569-1 https://doi.org/10.1002/CHIN.200333201 |
| 9-[1-(1,5-Dimethylpiperidin-2-yl)ethyl]-3-hydroxy-10a,11b-dimethyl-1,2,3,4,4a,6,6a,6b,9,10,11,11a-dodecahydrobenzo[a]fluoren-5-one | 22298210 | Click to see CC1CCC(N(C1)C)C(C)C2CC3(CC4C(C3C=C2)CC(=O)C5C4(CCC(C5)O)C)C | 427.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00569-1 |
| Dihydroimpranine | 139597676 | Click to see | 429.70 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00569-1 https://doi.org/10.1002/CHIN.200333201 |
| Ebeinone | 180322 | Click to see | 411.60 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959507 https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00323-Y |
| Impericine | 10320454 | Click to see | 429.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.50.1013 |
| Impranine | 12111955 | Click to see CC1CCC(N(C1)C)C(C)C2CC3(CC4C(C3C=C2)CC(=O)C5C4(CCC(C5)O)C)C | 427.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00569-1 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |