Fritillaria recurva
Scarlet fritillary
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Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Fritillaria recurva (Scarlet fritillary) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by scarlet flowers uniquely diagnostic.
Scarlet fritillary is a California native perennial found in northwestern coastal California, the Cascade Range, and Sierra Nevada mountains in dry hillsides within scrub and woodland habitats at elevations of 300 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces striking scarlet flowers with yellow checkered interiors and recurved tips, creating dramatic nodding blooms 1.5 to 3.7 centimeters long. Growing 3 to 9 decimeters tall with a large underground bulb, the plant develops distinctive whorled leaves in 1 to 3 clusters of 2 to 5 leaves below the stem and alternate leaves above. Its leaves are linear to narrowly lanceolate, measuring 3 to 15 centimeters in length, arranged in an elegant vertical arrangement. The fruit is distinctively winged, completing the plant's unique botanical profile.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; scarlet flowers uniquely diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Dry hillsides in scrub or woodland
Elevation: 300-2200 m
California counties: Lake, Siskiyou, Butte, Napa, Mendocino, Plumas, Placer, Shasta, Tehama, Trinity, Sonoma, Lassen, Modoc, Sierra, El Dorado, Glenn, Mariposa, Nevada, Colusa, Yuba, Humboldt, Kern, Solano
Outside California: western Nevada
Bloom period
Fritillaria recurva 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 recurva native to California?
Yes. Fritillaria recurva is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Fritillaria recurva bloom?
Fritillaria recurva blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Fritillaria recurva grow?
Fritillaria recurva occurs in Lake, Siskiyou, Butte, Napa, Mendocino, Plumas, Placer, Shasta and other counties, at elevations of 300-2200 m.
What plant family does Fritillaria recurva belong to?
Fritillaria recurva is in the Liliaceae family, genus Fritillaria.
What habitat does Fritillaria recurva grow in?
Fritillaria recurva grows in Common. Dry hillsides in scrub or woodland.
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.