Fritillaria atropurpurea
Mountain fritillary
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Fritillaria atropurpurea (Mountain fritillary) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by high elevation and numerous small bulb scales diagnostic.
Mountain fritillary is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern California, Sierra Nevada, Great Basin, and Desert Mountains in leaf mold under trees at elevations of 1,000 to 3,200 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces distinctive nodding flowers with purple-brown perianth parts mottled with yellow or white, measuring 1 to 2.5 centimeters long. Growing with stems 1 to 6 decimeters tall, it emerges from a large bulb with 2 to 5 scales. Its leaves are arranged 2 to 3 per node, measuring 4 to 12 centimeters long and ranging from linear to lanceolate in shape. The plant produces fruits with acute angles, showcasing its unique botanical characteristics.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; high elevation and numerous small bulb scales diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Often in leaf mold under trees
Elevation: 1000-3200 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Shasta, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Inyo, San Bernardino, Fresno, Alpine, Tuolumne, Sierra, Plumas, Mono, El Dorado, Tulare, Placer, Butte, Kern, Lake, Madera, Mariposa, Trinity, Tehama, Humboldt, Calaveras, Ventura, Colusa, Mendocino
Outside California: to Oregon, Montana, New Mexico
Bloom period
Fritillaria atropurpurea blooms Apr-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Lilium: Fritillaria has dark glandular spots in the lower half of each petal; Lilium petals lack these nectary patches.; vs Calochortus: Fritillaria flowers droop downward with glands inside; Calochortus flowers face upward or outward.; vs Platanthera: Fritillaria has 6 similar bell-shaped petals; orchid flowers have distinctly different upper and lower petals.; vs Clintonia: Fritillaria flowers hang downward with internal glands; Clintonia flowers stand upright and produce berries.; vs Maianthemum: Fritillaria has large drooping bells with 6 petals; Maianthemum has tiny 4-parted flowers in clusters.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fritillaria atropurpurea native to California?
Yes. Fritillaria atropurpurea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Fritillaria atropurpurea bloom?
Fritillaria atropurpurea blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Fritillaria atropurpurea grow?
Fritillaria atropurpurea occurs in Siskiyou, Shasta, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Inyo, San Bernardino, Fresno and other counties, at elevations of 1000-3200 m.
What plant family does Fritillaria atropurpurea belong to?
Fritillaria atropurpurea is in the Liliaceae family, genus Fritillaria.
What habitat does Fritillaria atropurpurea grow in?
Fritillaria atropurpurea grows in Common. Often in leaf mold under trees.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.