6 perianth parts in 2 whorls (3 sepals and 3 petals indistinguishable); perianth parts lined with green and purple inside; nectary prominent, narrowly linear, 2/3 the length of the perianth, purple to green, (from the upper (inner) surface).  Pistil may be divided in half or thirds.  Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, Murrieta, Riverside Co., CA. 3-01-09. © Joan Avise.

Chocolate Lily (Mission Bells)

Fritillaria biflora

Listed as a species of local concern, locally rare within Orange County, or regionally rare.
Uncommon, on heavy clay soil on grassy slopes; mountain foothills and Santa Ana Mountains. From a bulb with small scales; stout 6 to 18 in. light green stem.  Leaves, alternate, 3 to 7 often crowded just above ground, 2 to 5 in long, 1/3 to 1 in. wide.  Fruit is an angled capsule (JM2). Bulbs were eaten by Native Americans.  Flowering: February to May.

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Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, Murrieta, Riverside Co., CA. 2-21-10. © Peter J. Bryant.
Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, Murrieta, Riverside Co., CA. 2-21-10. © Peter J. Bryant.

Named for their color, the 1 1/2 in. nodding, bell-shaped flowers in groups from 1 to 4 (up to 20) are widely spaced on an unbranched stalk. 3-7 alternate leaves, 6-16 in. stout stem. Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, Murrieta, Riverside Co., CA. 3-01-09. © Joan Avise.
Purple-green buds with petals starting to open. Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, Murrieta, Riverside Co., CA. 3-01-09. © Joan Avise.

Flower bud. Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, Murrieta, Riverside Co., CA. 3-01-09. © Joan Avise.