Scarlet Fritillary

fritillaria recurva

The Scarlet Fritillary (Fritillaria recurva) is a striking perennial wildflower native to the dry, open woodlands and chaparral slopes of northern California and southern Oregon. Standing as a brilliant beacon in the early spring understory, this bulbous herb is highly prized by hikers and botanists alike for its unusually vibrant coloration. Unlike many of its more muted relatives in the lily family, this species produces nodding, bell-shaped blossoms of brilliant scarlet and orange, which serve as crucial early-season nectar sources for migrating hummingbirds. The plant grows from a specialized bulb surrounded by small, rice-grain-like bulblets, allowing it to survive hot, dry summers safely underground and burst into bloom as soon as the spring temperatures begin to warm.

Habitat: Found in dry, open coniferous forests, oak woodlands, and chaparral slopes, often on clay or serpentine soils in southern Oregon and northern California.

Appearance

This plant is easily recognized by its terminal, nodding, bell-shaped flowers that range in color from scarlet red to deep orange on the outside, and are heavily checkered with yellow on the inside. A key identifying feature is its tepals, which are strongly recurved, or swept backward at the tips. The flowers hang singly or in loose clusters of up to nine on slender, upright stems that grow 30 to 90 centimeters tall, surrounded by narrow, lance-shaped leaves arranged in whorls along the lower stem.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderLilialesFamilyLiliaceaeGenusFritillaria

Scarlet Fritillary

Interesting facts

Hummingbirds are the primary evolutionary driver behind the flower's bright red color, as bees cannot easily see red light, leaving the nectar primarily for avian pollinators.

Native American tribes of the Pacific Northwest historically harvested the starchy, rice-like bulbs of related Fritillaria species, steaming or boiling them into a nutritious food source.

The bulbs of the Scarlet Fritillary are covered in tiny, white offset bulbs that look exactly like grains of white rice, earning them the nickname 'rice-root'.

Special abilities

The backward-curving tepals expose bright interior markings and guide hummingbirds perfectly into contact with the plant's reproductive organs.

The underground bulb produces numerous small, detachable offsets resembling grains of rice, allowing the plant to propagate vegetatively.

The plant completely withers after a short spring flowering window, storing all its resources underground to endure harsh summer droughts.

Measurements & details

Length: 30-90 cm
Weight: 0.02-0.15 kg
Lifespan: 5-15 years

Diet & Feeding

As a photosynthetic plant, the Scarlet Fritillary manufactures its own food using sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and essential nutrients absorbed from the soil.

Primary Foods

Sunlight
Water
Carbon dioxide
Soil minerals

Foraging Method

Photosynthesis

Ecological connections

mutualism

Rufous Hummingbird

Selasphorus rufus

Serves as a primary pollinator, attracted to the scarlet, tubular flowers for nectar.

mutualism

Anna's Hummingbird

Calypte anna

Feeds on the nectar during early spring migration, helping to cross-pollinate the blossoms.

eaten by

Mule Deer

Odocoileus hemionus

Occasionally browses on the tender emerging shoots and flower buds in early spring.

Traits

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Also known as

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Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Scarlet Fritillary?

The easiest way to identify Scarlet Fritillary is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Scarlet Fritillary?

30-90 cm

How much does Scarlet Fritillary weigh?

0.02-0.15 kg

How long does Scarlet Fritillary live?

5-15 years

What does Scarlet Fritillary eat?

As a photosynthetic plant, the Scarlet Fritillary manufactures its own food using sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and essential nutrients absorbed from the soil.

Where is Scarlet Fritillary usually found?

Found in dry, open coniferous forests, oak woodlands, and chaparral slopes, often on clay or serpentine soils in southern Oregon and northern California.

How does Scarlet Fritillary hunt?

Photosynthesis