Fritillaria brandegeei
Greenhorn fritillary
(c) Dee Shea Himes, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Fritillaria brandegeei (Greenhorn fritillary) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by numerous small bulb scales and undivided style diagnostic.
Greenhorn fritillary is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada, especially the Greenhorn Mountains and Tehachapi region, in open granitic forest at elevations of 1,500 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces pink to purple nodding flowers with green and red-edged nectaries measuring 1.2 to 2 centimeters long. Growing with tall stems 4 to 10 decimeters high, it develops large bulb scales and distinctive whorled leaf arrangements. Its leaves are lanceolate, arranged in 1 to 3 whorls of 4 to 8 below the stem and alternating above, ranging 4 to 11 centimeters in length. The fruit is distinctively winged, adding to the plant's unique botanical characteristics.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; numerous small bulb scales and undivided style diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Granitic soils, open forest
Elevation: 1500-2100 m
California counties: Kern, Tulare, San Diego
Bloom period
Fritillaria brandegeei blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 brandegeei native to California?
Yes. Fritillaria brandegeei is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Fritillaria brandegeei bloom?
Fritillaria brandegeei blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Fritillaria brandegeei grow?
Fritillaria brandegeei occurs in Kern, Tulare, San Diego, at elevations of 1500-2100 m.
What plant family does Fritillaria brandegeei belong to?
Fritillaria brandegeei is in the Liliaceae family, genus Fritillaria.
Is Fritillaria brandegeei rare or endangered?
Fritillaria brandegeei carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.