unique plant but smelly

I have a whole bunch of Fritterillas ( spelling?) growing in my yard. They are very unique looking but don't have the nicest smell. Can anyone tell me some history of this plant

Barb S

 

Do you mean Fritillaria?

 

I find Wikipedia ([WIKI]Fritillaria[/WIKI] a good starting point to read more about plants - there are often resource links at the bottom of each articles. If you can identify what species / cultivar you have, that'll help in pinning down even better sources for reading.

 

I grow Chocolate Lilies,at least that was my mothers name for them,I think they are commonly called Checkered Lilies(Fritillaria Meleagris).Have not noticed that they are particularly smelly however they are a small delicate plant ,too far down for me to bend over for a whiff.Oh my aching back!

 

I believe the type of Fritillaria you are referring to is the Crown Imperial variety. As they pop out of the ground and begin to flower they exude a rather pungent skunky smell. The smell fades once the flowers open. The smell is actually a great deterrant against deer and other pests.

 

And against squirrels too. And very much so against would be vandals.

 

A friend gave me a variegated one, I put the bulb in the garage when I got home - intending to plant it later. It disappeared and left behind a lingering skunky smell. I am sure a wharf rat (roof rat) got in there and ate it.

So much for deterring pests such as squirrels (arboreal rodents).

 

Well Ron ,when your hungry ,you've got to eat!
I put bulbs in pots when I get them,then if they begin to grow I can just put them out in the garden.

 

I have crown Imperial and it is supposed to deter moles...I think I lost mine because of all the mole tunnels underneath of it.