Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Fritillaria biflora (Chocolate Lily) is a species in the Liliaceae (Lily) family that is endemic to California and northern Baja. It is found along the coast from Montery County south. Fritillaria biflora is called "Chocolate Lily" because its bell-shaped flowers resemble the color of chocolate. It should not be confused with Arthropodium strictum, which is also called "chocolate lily" but which resembles the scent of chocolate rather than the color. It is an extraordinarily beautiful flower but infrequently available and not easy to grow. It is grown from a bulb that should be planted fairly deep, around 4 in. It needs fast drainage and requires a dry summer dormancy.

Plant type

Perennial herb, Geophyte

Size

6 in Tall
6 in Wide

Dormancy

Summer Deciduous

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Color

Black, Brown, Green, Purple

Flowering season

Spring

Sun

Full Sun

Summer irrigation

Never irrigate once established

Cold tolerance

Tolerates cold to 20° F

Soil drainage

Fast

Propagation

For propagating by seed: No treatment.

Site type

Grassy slopes

Plant communities

Foothill Woodland, Valley Grassland

Use with native grasses, annual wildflowers, herbaceous perennials, or other geophytes