Fritillaria pudica
Yellow fritillary, Yellow Fritillary
(c) Tuoichen, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Fritillaria pudica (Yellow fritillary) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by yellow flowers uniquely diagnostic.
Yellow fritillary is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern California Ranges, northern Sierra Nevada, and Modoc Plateau on grassy, shrubby, and wooded slopes at elevations below 2,100 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces nodding yellow to orange flowers with brown lines, aging to a distinctive brick-red color. Growing 0.7 to 3 decimeters tall with a large underground bulb, it emerges with slender stems supporting several alternately arranged leaves. Its linear to lanceolate leaves range from 3 to 20 centimeters long, spreading sparsely along the delicate stem. The plant's unique flower structure features perianth parts 0.8 to 2.2 centimeters long with a green elliptical nectary near the base.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; yellow flowers uniquely diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Grassy, shrubby, or wooded slopes
Elevation: < 2100 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Modoc, Lassen, Sierra, Plumas, Nevada, Shasta, Trinity, Mendocino, Santa Clara, Lake
Outside California: to British Columbia, Montana, Wyoming
Bloom period
Fritillaria pudica blooms Apr-Jun.
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 pudica native to California?
Yes. Fritillaria pudica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Fritillaria pudica bloom?
Fritillaria pudica blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Fritillaria pudica grow?
Fritillaria pudica occurs in Siskiyou, Modoc, Lassen, Sierra, Plumas, Nevada, Shasta, Trinity and other counties, at elevations of < 2100 m.
What plant family does Fritillaria pudica belong to?
Fritillaria pudica is in the Liliaceae family, genus Fritillaria.
What habitat does Fritillaria pudica grow in?
Fritillaria pudica grows in Common. Grassy, shrubby, or wooded slopes.
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.