Definition of "fritillary"

Fritillaries are as fundamental a part of the British water meadow landscape as Ratty and Mole slowly punting along under a willow tree. They speak of opalescent spring mornings, with their distinctive chequered bells bowed earthward and beaded with dew, a dark counterpoint to the acid-fresh grass.

2014 April 6, Naomi Slade, “Fritillaries: Don't forget these lilies of the field: Make a pilgrimage to one of Britain’s few fritillary meadows this season ”, in The Daily Telegraph (Gardening)‎, London