Fritillaria ojaiensis
Ojai fritillary
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Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Fritillaria ojaiensis (Ojai fritillary) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by limited to south-central coast with distinctive flower color.
Ojai fritillary is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in southern San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties and western Transverse Ranges in Ventura County, inhabiting rocky slopes and river basins at elevations of 300 to 500 meters. Flowering from February to May, this plant produces nodding flowers with dull green-yellow perianth parts marked with sparse to dense dark dots, measuring 1.5 to 3 centimeters long. Growing with stems 4 to 7 decimeters tall, it develops large bulb scales and complex leaf arrangements. Its leaves appear in 1 to 3 whorls of 3 to 5 below the stem, becoming alternate or opposite higher up, with linear to narrowly lanceolate blades 4 to 13 centimeters long. The plant produces winged fruit with a distinctive nectary that is approximately one-third the length of the perianth.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; limited to south-central coast with distinctive flower color
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes, river basins
Elevation: 300-500 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Monterey
Bloom period
Fritillaria ojaiensis blooms Feb-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 ojaiensis native to California?
Yes. Fritillaria ojaiensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Fritillaria ojaiensis bloom?
Fritillaria ojaiensis blooms Feb-May.
Where in California does Fritillaria ojaiensis grow?
Fritillaria ojaiensis occurs in San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Monterey, at elevations of 300-500 m.
What plant family does Fritillaria ojaiensis belong to?
Fritillaria ojaiensis is in the Liliaceae family, genus Fritillaria.
Is Fritillaria ojaiensis rare or endangered?
Fritillaria ojaiensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S3.
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.