Fritillaria raddeana is a close relative of crown imperial (Fritillaria imperialis), but features flowers in a range of pastels from light green through yellow and soft pink (colors change as they age). Native to rocky hillsides in Iran and Turkmenistan, the plants are adapted to begin growth early in spring — when moisture from winter rains or snow is still available — and complete their life cycle before the heat of summer parches the landscape.

Fritillaria was given to the genus because the dried seedpods are shaped like a dice box Frittilus of yesteryear (Roman era).