Fritillaria liliacea
Fragrant fritillary
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Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Fritillaria liliacea (Fragrant fritillary) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by white flowers with green stripes uniquely diagnostic.
Fragrant fritillary is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the Solano County and central western California regions in heavy soil, open hills, and coastal fields at elevations generally below 200 meters. Flowering from February to April, this plant produces white flowers striped with green, nodding delicately with faint or absent scent. Growing with stems 10 to 35 centimeters tall, it emerges from a large bulb with 2 to 7 scales. Its leaves are variable, ranging from 2 to 20 in number, linear to ovate, and measuring 3.5 to 12 centimeters long. The flower features a narrow, linear nectary that is approximately purple to green, extending halfway to two-thirds the length of its delicate perianth parts.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; white flowers with green stripes uniquely diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Heavy soil, open hills, fields near coast
Elevation: generally < 200 m
California counties: Alameda, Santa Clara, Monterey, San Mateo, Marin, Contra Costa, San Benito, Solano, Sonoma, San Francisco, Sacramento
Bloom period
Fritillaria liliacea blooms Feb-Apr.
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 liliacea native to California?
Yes. Fritillaria liliacea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Fritillaria liliacea bloom?
Fritillaria liliacea blooms Feb-Apr.
Where in California does Fritillaria liliacea grow?
Fritillaria liliacea occurs in Alameda, Santa Clara, Monterey, San Mateo, Marin, Contra Costa, San Benito, Solano and other counties, at elevations of generally < 200 m.
What plant family does Fritillaria liliacea belong to?
Fritillaria liliacea is in the Liliaceae family, genus Fritillaria.
Is Fritillaria liliacea rare or endangered?
Fritillaria liliacea 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.