Crown imperial is a flowering plant in the lily family. It has a long scape with drooping bell-shaped flowers which appear in red, white or yellow colors. The plant's bulbs smell similar to garlic, which repel rats and other small mammals. Vincent van Gogh, a Dutch post-impressionist painter, depicted crown imperial flowers in his painting titled "Imperial Fritillaries in a Copper Vase."

Here are some photos of blooming crown imperial flowers taken in Beijing Botanical Garden, home to thousands of plant species. 

About 'City of Wild'

Nature is not limited to faraway mountains and oceans, it also exists in urban cities and our daily lives. In the series, "City of Wild," CGTN not only unfolds a world of wildlife you were probably not aware of, but also highlights the theme of this year's CBD COP 15: Ecological Civilization: Building a Shared Future for All Life on Earth.

For more:

City of wild: The cute sparrows in Beijing

City of wild: Inconspicuous birds with really beautiful melodies

City of Wild: Lovely hoopoes in Beijing

City of wild: Milu deer cool off from the Beijing summer

City of Wild: A pair of spotted doves making home in downtown Beijing

City of Wild: Vigilant white-cheeked starlings in Beijing

City of Wild: Hollyhocks bloom in Beijing summer

Meet the lovely peach blossoms in Beijing

Beautiful hybrid plum blossoms bloom in Beijing Botanical Garden

Lovely tulips bloom in Beijing

(All photos are taken by Ding Qian)

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)