Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Fritillaria recurva, the Scarlet Fritillary, is a herb in the Liliaceae family. It is native to southwest Oregon from Douglas County south into California where it grows in the Klamath Mountains, Northern Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, and Sierra Nevada. It grows in dry, open woodlands and chaparral from 300 to 2200 meters, and it blooms in spring from February to July. Throughout its range it is distinguishable from other Fritillaria species by its scarlet red color, checkered with yellow on the inside, and recurved petals. Its leaves are arranged in whorls and are linear to narrowly lance-shaped. In southwest Oregon it is similar to the rare Fritillaria gentneri. The latter can be distinguished from F. recurva by its branching style and longer nectary glands. Additionally, it blooms about two weeks after Scarlet Fritillary and has a different reddish color.

Plant type

Perennial herb, Geophyte

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Color

Orange, Red, Yellow

Flowering season

Spring

Sun

Deep Shade, Partial Shade

Water

Very Low

Soil drainage

Fast

Sunset Zones

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17

Site type

Dry slopes

Plant communities

Chaparral, Foothill Woodland, Yellow Pine Forest