Fritillary Lilies

Day 185: Every year when my Fritillary Lilies come into bloom, I ask the same question: what possible genetic advantage does the colouration of the flowers provide? Dear Fritillaria meleagris, WHY? I've never seen insects playing chess or checkers, so you can't be trying to attract pollinators, and I don't know that a gingham bonnet signified that one pioneer woman would make a better mother than another, so you're not displaying a readiness to reproduce. What exactly is going on here?

Whatever the reason for Checkered Lilies' checkerspots, they do amuse me. Mine have been growing and multiplying in the same large flower pot for at least five years, left outside to endure winter temperatures which occasionally dip into the single digits with no loss of bulb strength. They're somewhat crowded in amongst Snowflakes and some errant chives, having compelled a handful of tulips into giving up the fight for space. Like most members of the Lily family, they're at their best for only a short time, but even so, they give me far more enjoyment than a whole bedful of daffodils with their quirky, cocky, checkered bells.