Fritillaria biflora

Fritillaria biflora, the chocolate lily or mission bells, is a species of fritillary native to western California, US, and northern Baja California, Mexico.Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant FamiliesBiota of North America Program It occurs in the chaparral and woodlands ecoregion, often in serpentine soil formations and hillside grassland habitats.Flora of North America v 26 p 168, Fritillaria biflora

Fritillaria biflora is a bulbous herbaceous perennial up to 60 cm tall. It is called "chocolate lily" because its flowers can resemble the color of chocolate, although sometimes they are greenish purple or yellowish green.Lindley, John. 1834. Edwards's Botanical Register 20: under pl. 1663. Flowers bloom in March and April.

Fritillaria biflora should not be confused with Arthropodium strictum, which is also called "chocolate lily". In the latter, the scent is reminiscent of chocolate, rather than the color. The Kamchatka fritillary (F. camschatcensis) is sometimes also called "chocolate lily" in Alaska.

Varieties Two varieties are recognized:

Fritillaria biflora var. biflora—leaves widely lanceolate, most of the species range Fritillaria biflora var. ineziana Jeps., Fl. Calif. 1: 306 (1922). -- leaves narrowly lanceolate, endangered taxon known only from one location in San Mateo County

See also California chaparral and woodlands California montane chaparral and woodlands List of plants known as lily

References and external links

Jepson Manual Treatment - Fritillaria biflora USDA Plants Profile; Fritillaria biflora Fritillaria biflora - U.C. Photo gallery Theodore Payne Foundation: Chocolate Lily