Fritillaria falcata
Talus fritillary
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Fritillaria falcata (Talus fritillary) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by sickle-shaped leaves and erect flowers diagnostic.
Talus fritillary is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in San Francisco Bay and central coastal regions of San Benito County in serpentine talus habitats at elevations of 300 to 1,200 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces flowers with mottled rusty-brown and yellow perianth parts, uniquely marked with yellow-green spots against a green background. Growing 7 to 20 centimeters tall with a large bulb, it develops sickle-shaped, widely linear leaves that are fleshy near the stem and fold distinctively. Its leaves are sparse, numbering 2 to 6, and spread alternately along the stem, each measuring 3.5 to 8.5 centimeters long. The plant produces fruit with distinctively acute-angled edges, reflecting its adaptation to serpentine rocky environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; sickle-shaped leaves and erect flowers diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine talus
Elevation: 300-1200 m
California counties: San Benito, Alameda, Santa Clara, Stanislaus, Monterey
Bloom period
Fritillaria falcata blooms Mar-May.
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 falcata native to California?
Yes. Fritillaria falcata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Fritillaria falcata bloom?
Fritillaria falcata blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Fritillaria falcata grow?
Fritillaria falcata occurs in San Benito, Alameda, Santa Clara, Stanislaus, Monterey, at elevations of 300-1200 m.
What plant family does Fritillaria falcata belong to?
Fritillaria falcata is in the Liliaceae family, genus Fritillaria.
Is Fritillaria falcata rare or endangered?
Fritillaria falcata carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
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.