Fritillaria purdyi
Purdy's fritillary
(c) Arvel Hernandez, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Fritillaria purdyi (Purdy's fritillary) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by white flowers with purple markings diagnostic.
Purdy's fritillary is a California native perennial found in the northwestern bioregion on dry serpentine ridges at elevations of 400 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces white flowers with distinctive purple spots and pink shading, nodding or spreading, with perianth parts 1.5 to 3 centimeters long and often recurved tips. Growing 1 to 4 decimeters tall with a large bulb, it develops 2 to 10 alternate leaves that are somewhat crowded near the ground. Its leaves are ovate, measuring 2.5 to 10 centimeters long, providing a distinctive backdrop for the elegantly marked flowers. The plant produces fruits with acute angles, completing its delicate seasonal display.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; white flowers with purple markings diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry ridges, generally on serpentine
Elevation: 400-2100 m
California counties: Napa, Lake, Humboldt, Glenn, Tehama, Mendocino, Trinity, San Francisco, Sonoma, Butte, Colusa
Bloom period
Fritillaria purdyi blooms Mar-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 purdyi native to California?
Yes. Fritillaria purdyi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Fritillaria purdyi bloom?
Fritillaria purdyi blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Fritillaria purdyi grow?
Fritillaria purdyi occurs in Napa, Lake, Humboldt, Glenn, Tehama, Mendocino, Trinity, San Francisco and other counties, at elevations of 400-2100 m.
What plant family does Fritillaria purdyi belong to?
Fritillaria purdyi is in the Liliaceae family, genus Fritillaria.
Is Fritillaria purdyi rare or endangered?
Fritillaria purdyi carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
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.