Fritilaria meleagris alba

Fritillaria meleagris, the snake's head fritillary (of which 'Alba' is the pure white form), is native to Europe and western Asia, growing in damp meadows and open woodland margins. A bulbous perennial with a single erect stem 30-50 cm tall, bearing narrow, alternate leaves, it flowers from mid-April to May: a solitary, nodding, bell-shaped flower, typically chequered in purple and cream, recalling the plumage of a guinea fowl, hence meleagris. The 'Alba' form bears white flowers without this pattern. It requires moist, humus-rich soil, sun to part shade, and naturalises readily in damp meadow grass.