Editing Fritillaria imperialis (section)

==Role in the culture of Iran==
The flower has a long and deep connection with the history, religion, mythology and folklore of its native Iran and, as a result, has acquired a wealth of evocative vernacular names, often referencing the pendent form of the blossoms and the tear-like nectar drops borne by the six nectaries. In Iranian folklore the nodding flowers are described (in comparison with the upright flowers of tulips) as being 'upside-down', this curious posture being attributed to the plant's bowing its (originally upright) 'head' in sorrow upon the death of a mythological or religious personage. Likewise, the glistening drops of nectar at the base of each flower are described as the tears which the plant weeps in mourning the departed. Depictions of the distinctive inflorescences may be seen on the sculpted capitals of [[Sasanian Empire|Sassanid]] columns, as at [[Taq-e Bostan]]. ''F. imperialis'' is linked to the legend of the death of [[Siyâvash]], a semi-divine hero in the Iranian national [[Epic poetry|epic]] ''[[Shahnameh]]'', whence the common name ''Ashk-e Sivash'' ('Tear of Siyâvash').<ref>https://www.visitiran.ir/attraction/plain-overturned-tulips-fritillaria Retrieved at 12.10 on 16/6/21</ref><ref>https://www.heritageinstitute.com/zoroastrianism/pdf/usefulPlantsOfIranIraq.pdf Retrieved at 00.08 on 17/6/21</ref>