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red bells, scarlet fritillary

Ojai fritillary

Bulb scales

large 6; small 20–30.

large 3–5; small 1–3.

Stem

3–9 dm.

4–7 dm.

Leaves

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

blade linear to narrowly lanceolate.

in 1–3 whorls of 3–5 leaves per node proximally, alternate or opposite distally, 13 cm, usually shorter than inflorescence;

blade linear to narrowly lanceolate;

distal leaves usually ± equaling proximalmost leaf.

Flowers

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.

nodding;

tepals dull greenish yellow with scattered to profuse dark dots, broadly lanceolate, 1.5–3 cm, apex not recurved;

nectaries prominent or obscure, paler in color than rest of tepals, widely elliptic to ± diamond-shaped, 1/3 tepal length;

style obviously branched for 1/2–2/3 its length, branches longer than 1.5 mm.

Capsules

winged.

winged.

2n

= 24, 36.

= 14.

Fritillaria recurva

Fritillaria ojaiensis

Phenology Flowering Mar–Jun. Flowering Feb–Apr.
Habitat Dry hillsides in shrubland or woodlands Rocky slopes, river basins
Elevation 300–2200 m (1000–7200 ft) 300–500 m (1000–1600 ft)
Distribution
from FNA
CA; NV; OR
[WildflowerSearch map]
[BONAP county map]
from FNA
CA
[BONAP county map]
Discussion

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.)

Of conservation concern.

Fritillaria ojaiensis is considered rare and endangered in California. It is closely related to F. affinis, and is sometimes considered synonymous with it.

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

Source FNA vol. 26, p. 171. FNA vol. 26, p. 170.
Parent taxa Liliaceae > Fritillaria Liliaceae > Fritillaria
Sibling taxa
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
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. pinetorum, F. pluriflora, F. pudica, F. purdyi, F. recurva, F. striata, F. viridea
Synonyms F. recurva var. coccinea
Name authority Bentham: Pl. Hartw., 340. (1857) Davidson: Bull. S. Calif. Acad. Sci. 21: 41, plate 2. (1922)
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