Fritillaria biflora
Chocolate lily, Mission Bells
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Fritillaria biflora (Chocolate lily) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by southern California endemic.
Chocolate lily is a California native perennial found in coastal and central California mountain ranges in grasslands, oak woodlands, and serpentine areas. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces dark brown to green-purple nodding flowers with distinctive yellow-green markings, each perianth part 1.8 to 4 centimeters long. Growing 10 to 45 centimeters tall with a single stem emerging from a large underground bulb, it develops 3 to 7 alternate leaves that are often clustered near the ground. Its leaves range from linear to narrowly ovate, measuring 5 to 19 centimeters long and positioned in a loose arrangement along the stem. The plant's prominent nectary covers approximately two-thirds of the flower's length, creating an unusual and striking botanical profile.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; southern California endemic
Habitat and range
California counties: Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Orange, Fresno, Stanislaus, Monterey, Ventura, Kern, Contra Costa, Mendocino, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Marin
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 biflora native to California?
Yes. Fritillaria biflora is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Fritillaria biflora grow?
Fritillaria biflora occurs in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Orange, Fresno, Stanislaus and other counties.
What plant family does Fritillaria biflora belong to?
Fritillaria biflora is in the Liliaceae family, genus Fritillaria.
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.