from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
- n. A spring-blooming plant (Fritillaria imperialis) of the Lily family, having at the top of the stalk a cluster of pendent bell-shaped flowers surmounted with a tuft of green leaves.
from The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- n. A liliaceous garden-plant, Fritillaria imperialis, cultivated for its beautiful flowers. Also called crown-thistle.
Sorry, no etymologies found.
Then take a considerable number of bulbs of the crown-imperial, the narcissus, the hyacinth, the tulip, the crocus, and others; let the leaves of each have sprouted to about an inch, more or less according to the size of the bulb; put all these, pretty promiscuously, but pretty thickly, on the top of the box.
It was not the simplicity of the hedge-row any more than of the hothouse; it was rather that of some classic flower, lavender or crown-imperial, growing from an ancient stock in some dignified, long-tended garden.
It was thus a simplicity closely allied to sturdiness -- the inner sturdiness not inconsistent with an outward semblance of fragility -- the tenacity of strength by which the lavender scents the summer and the crown-imperial adorns the spring, after the severest snows.
The striped Jalappa, the crested Sedum, the fasciated crown-imperial, white strawberries, red gooseberries and many others were known to Munting.
The two younger princesses, the flower crown-imperial.
Though the old garden had many fragrant leaves and flowers, their delicate perfume was sometimes fairly deadened by an almost mephitic aroma that came from an ancient blossom, a favorite in Shakespeare's day -- the jewelled bell of the noxious crown-imperial.
A bird of our own country called a willow-wren (Motacilla) runs up the stem of the crown-imperial (Frittillaria coronalis) and sips the pendulous drops within its petals.