Fritillaria Species, California Chocolate Lily, Mission Bells

Fritillariabiflora

Family
Liliaceae (lil-ee-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Fritillaria (frit-il-AR-ee-uh)
Species
biflora (by-FLOR-uh)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Herbaceous
Smooth
Height
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
Spacing
6-9 in. (15-22 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Brown/Bronze
Bloom Time
Late Winter/Early Spring
Mid Spring
Other Details
Category
Bulbs
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Can be grown as an annual
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Los Angeles, California

Malibu, California

San Diego, California

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Gardener's Notes:

1
positive
1
neutral
0
negative
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A
Green Cove Springs, FL (Zone 9a) | February 2010 | neutral

Bought 3 - 4" pots at a native plant sale late summer, 2009. I promptly knocked off all the foliage trying to plant the tiny bulbs. I ...Read More

K
K
L.A. (Canoga Park), CA (Zone 10a) | October 2004 | positive

Exquisite and uncommon California native plant. Probably not suited to ordinary garden cultivation. If you find one, please let it be.

Featured
Tarnished Plant Bug
(Lygus pratensis)
Common Bronzewing
(Phaps chalcoptera)
Featured
Tarnished Plant Bug
(Lygus pratensis)
Common Bronzewing
(Phaps chalcoptera)