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Black Sarana Wikimedia Commons
Liliaceae

Black Sarana

Fritillaria camschatcensis

Ancient wisdom.

Family
Liliaceae
Genus
Fritillaria
Native to
Alaska, Pacific Northwest, Japan, Russia
Bloom season
Spring, Summer
Type
bulbous perennial
Height
0.5-2 ft
Sunlight
part shade
Soil
Moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil
Water
moderate
Hardiness
4-8
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • The starchy bulbs were a staple food for indigenous peoples of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.
  • The bulbs were sometimes stored in caches and allowed to ferment, creating a prized food called sarana.
  • The dark, bell-shaped flowers emit a faint scent that some describe as resembling chocolate.
  • It is one of the few Fritillaria species that grows naturally around the entire Pacific Rim.
  • The rice-like bulblets surrounding the main bulb gave rise to the alternate name 'rice root lily.'

Color meanings

0

strength

1

perseverance

Uses

  • traditional food source
  • woodland gardens
  • native plant gardens