Traditional medicine
Fritillaria, like other members of the family Liliaceae, contain flavonol glycosides and tri- and diferulic-acid sucrose esters, steroidal alkaloids, saponins and terpenoids that have formed the active ingredients in traditional medicine ("see Traditional medicine"). Certain species have flowers that emit disagreeable odors that have been referred to as phenolic, putrid, sulfurous, sweaty and skunky. The scent of "Fritillaria imperialis" has been called "rather nasty", while that of "F. agrestis", known commonly as stink bells, is reminiscent of canine feces. On the other hand, "F. striata" has a sweet fragrance. The "foxy" odor of "F. imperialis" has been identified as 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol (dimethylallyl mercaptan), an alkylthiol.