The checkered lily, a flower that blooms only at this time of year, has appeared in the Timiș River meadow. It lasts for about a week and is protected by law.
Images of the rare flower were posted by Romsilva on Facebook.
"The checkered lily is blooming in several places across the country, and today we present you with some images from a forest managed by the Lunca Timișului Forestry Department. It is time to remind everyone that this rare and exceptionally beautiful flower is protected by law," stated the national agency.
According to specialists, the checkered lily (Fritillaria meleagris) blooms in April or May and has a checkered pattern, ranging in shades from red to purple.
The plant can reach a height of 40 centimeters and grows in grassy areas, in river meadows, up to altitudes of 800 meters.
The checkered lily blooms only once a year, and its lifespan is approximately one week.
The checkered lily is declared a natural monument and is continuously monitored by Romsilva specialists. The flower is found especially in wet areas in the counties of Bistrița Năsăud, Gorj, Cluj, Timiș, Brașov, Botoșani, Vaslui, and Suceava.
The fine for breaking protected plants by law ranges from 3,000 to 7,500 lei.