The green links below add additional plants to the comparison table. Blue links lead to other Web sites.
enable glossary links

stink bells

red bells, scarlet fritillary

Bulb scales

large 2–9; small 0–2.

large 6; small 20–30.

Stem

3–6 dm.

3–9 dm.

Leaves

5–12, alternate, crowded near proximal center of stem, 5–15 cm;

blade linear to lanceolate-oblong.

in 1–3 whorls of 2–5 leaves per node proximally, alternate distally, 3–15 cm;

blade linear to narrowly lanceolate.

Flowers

nodding, odor definitely unpleasant;

tepals greenish to purplish brown adaxially, white or yellow abaxially, ovate, 1.8–3.5 cm, apex not recurved;

nectaries prominent, green, narrowly linear, forming narrow band 2/3 to equaling tepal length;

style obviously branched for 1/2 its length, branches longer than 1.5 mm.

nodding;

perianth slender;

tepals scarlet, checkered with yellow adaxially and purple abaxially, 1.5–3.7 cm, apex usually strongly recurved;

nectaries yellow, narrowly lanceolate, 1/4 tepal length or less;

style obviously branched for 1/4–1/2 its length, branches ± erect, longer than 1.5 mm.

Capsules

angled.

winged.

2n

= 24.

= 24, 36.

Fritillaria agrestis

Fritillaria recurva

Phenology Flowering Mar–Apr. Flowering Mar–Jun.
Habitat Depressions with clay or other heavy soils Dry hillsides in shrubland or woodlands
Elevation 0–500 m (0–1600 ft) 300–2200 m (1000–7200 ft)
Distribution
from FNA
CA
[WildflowerSearch map]
[BONAP county map]
from FNA
CA; NV; OR
[WildflowerSearch map]
[BONAP county map]
Discussion

This species is uncommon.

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)

Variety coccinea has been recognized by a number of authors, but examination of numerous specimens indicates no consistent distinction. In some cases, different plants from the same population appear to align with different varieties.

The Shasta and Yana tribes used Fritillaria recurva bulbs as food.

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)

Source FNA vol. 26. FNA vol. 26, p. 171.
Parent taxa Liliaceae > Fritillaria Liliaceae > Fritillaria
Sibling taxa
F. affinis, F. atropurpurea, F. biflora, F. brandegeei, F. camschatcensis, F. eastwoodiae, F. falcata, F. gentneri, F. glauca, F. liliacea, F. micrantha, F. ojaiensis, F. pinetorum, F. pluriflora, F. pudica, F. purdyi, F. recurva, F. striata, F. viridea
F. affinis, F. agrestis, F. atropurpurea, F. biflora, F. brandegeei, F. camschatcensis, F. eastwoodiae, F. falcata, F. gentneri, F. glauca, F. liliacea, F. micrantha, F. ojaiensis, F. pinetorum, F. pluriflora, F. pudica, F. purdyi, F. striata, F. viridea
Synonyms F. biflora var. agrestis F. recurva var. coccinea
Name authority Greene: Erythea 3: 67. (1895) Bentham: Pl. Hartw., 340. (1857)
Web links