Scientific Family
Liliaceae
Synonyms
Fritillaria adamantina, Fritillaria gracillima, Fritillaria falcata
Other common names
leopard lily, spotted missionbells
spotted mountainbells
checker lily
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Similar species
Fritillaria pinetorum
Height
3 to 20 inches
Riparian
No
Perennial, stems solitary, simple, erect, leafy above; bulbs with a few large fleshy scales and numerous small scales (also called rice-grain bulblets).
Perennial from bulb; leaves narrow, not exceeding the solitary or few flowers; flowers nod, stamens 6, pistil 1, purplish-brown, mottled with yellow or white. Differs from F. pinetorum which has erect flowers and leaves that exceed the flowers.
Habitat
Slopes, coniferous forests, montane habitats.
Plant Community
Montane Conifer Forest
Low elevation
5400
High elevation
8500
Flower Characteristics
Flowers on few-flowered stems, nodding, open, sepals/petals egg-shaped or narrower, 1/2 to 3/4 inch long, purplish-brown, clearly mottled yellow or white, stamens about half as long as petals; margins flat to edges turned under, tips flat.
Flower color
Purplish-brown and yellow or white
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
June
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves alternate or whorled, arising on the upper half of the stem; narrow oval shape tapering on both ends, 2-1/2 to 4 inches long, <1/4 inch wide; 2 to 3 leaves per node; upper stem leaves usually slightly less than or equaling lower leaves.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Broadly egg-shaped capsules that open lengthwise, 1/2 to 3/4 inch long, sharply angled.
Fruit type
Capsule