Fritillaria biflora

Fritillaria biflora
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Liliales
Family:	Liliaceae
Subfamily:	Lilioideae
Tribe:	Lilieae
Genus:	Fritillaria
Species:	F. biflora
Binomial name
	Fritillaria biflora; Lindl.
Synonyms
	Amblirion lanceolatum Sweet; Fritillaria biflora var. inflexa Jeps.; Fritillaria kamtschatcensis Torr. (not Fritillaria camschatcensis (L.) Ker Gawler); Fritillaria lanceolata Torr.; Fritillaria succulenta Elmer; Liliorhiza viridis Kellogg;

Fritillaria biflora, the chocolate lily or mission bells, is a species of fritillary native to western California, US, and northern Baja California, Mexico.^[2]^[3] It occurs in the chaparral and woodlands ecoregion, often in serpentine soil formations and hillside grassland habitats.^[4]

Fritillaria biflora is a bulbous herbaceous perennial up to 60 cm tall. It is called "chocolate lily" because its flowers can resemble the color of chocolate, although sometimes they are greenish purple or yellowish green.^[4]^[5] Flowers bloom in March and April.^[6]

Fritillaria biflora should not be confused with Arthropodium strictum, which is also called "chocolate lily". In the latter, the scent is reminiscent of chocolate, rather than the color. The Kamchatka fritillary (F. camschatcensis) is sometimes also called "chocolate lily" in Alaska.

Varieties

Two varieties are recognized:^[1]^[4]

Fritillaria biflora var. biflora—leaves widely lanceolate, most of the species range
Fritillaria biflora var. ineziana Jeps., Fl. Calif. 1: 306 (1922). -- leaves narrowly lanceolate, endangered taxon known only from one location in San Mateo County