Fritillaries

One of the spectacular attractions of Iran is the Fritillaries. Many people go to different regions of Iran to see this flower, especially in the Zagros slopes.

People tell the story about this flower that When Garsivaz (a bad man) cuts   Siavash’s neck (a hero) by a blade, the Fritillaries saw this happen. After that, the sadness of the incident has affected the flower and reddened its color. It also bowed its head and cried. The Fritillaries are mostly red and orange, but in some areas are found yellow flowers. This flower is now one of the national natural monuments and protected by the EPA.

• Botanical characteristics

  The Fritillaria is one of the Liliales family. This flower has a thick brown stem and grows to 120 cm long. This beautiful flower grows in May and has 5 to 8 flowers. The Fritillaria has abundant leaves at the top of the flowers and the end of the stems instead of the bottom of the petals. So far, 15 species of this flower have been identified in Iran. This flower is highly compatible with rocky slopes.

• Which regions in Iran have Fritillaria plain?

  Zagros Heights, rocky slopes of mountains, Bakhtiari Mountains (most of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province) are Fritillaria habitats. The Banuastaki area with over 3500 hectares is one of the most beautiful natural landscapes of Bakhtiari that is densely covered with these flowers. This flower plain is located 100 km from Shahrekord and about 10 km from Koohrang city. Also, Fritillaries grows in the green slopes and valleys of the west and south mountains of Isfahan province, some cities, such as Fereidan, Fereydun Shahr, Buin va Miandasht, Khansar, Dehaghan, Shahreza, and Semirom from late April to late May.

• Which season does Fritillaries grow?

  The Fritillaries grows in the late April to early May and make an interesting landscape. But the flowers do not last long and die within 10 to 15 days. Then, the seed stage begins in the second half of May.