From the Meditteranean, deep purple, checkered flowers are some of the darkest in the genus. Taxonimically this seems to be sometimes considered Fritillaria montana, or Fritillaria pyrenaica. It seems that no one can decide on this one. Seriously it is time for that monograph!Mr. Grey considered this nigra in the 1930's, although I may have called it montana in past offerings. This one is by far the most sucessfull of the non native early blooming species in the open garden and beds. These have performed year in and year out, despite the weather, always putting on a good show around spring break and matching the bloom with many of the golden narcissus selections makes for an interesting display. If you are going to start with one Fritillaria to try this would be it.