Fritillaria affinis, Checker Lily

A charming, spring blooming plant in the lily family, which is native to a wide variety of habitats from the coast to the Klamath and Sierra Nevada foothills as well as Point Reyes Seashore. It is California’s most common fritillary and the most variable, in both size and flower color. Flowers vary greatly and can be yellow-green to purple-brown and may be beautifully checkered with brown and green, sometimes red-purple patterns. The pendulous, bell-shaped flower stalks can get 12 inches to 3 ft tall, depending on the habitat and substrate.

Native to grasslands, woodlands and chaparral plant communities including serpentine soils. The easiest of the fritillaries to grow, it prefers light, well drained soils, and sun along the coast to light shade in hotter areas. Plants accept water in their growing season but should be allowed to go dry once dormant in late summer. Given its wide range in the wild, it should be easy to grow. However, people report varying results in the garden. Protect from gophers, slugs and deer.