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Fritillaria affinis

Fritillaria affinis (Schult.) Sealy

Checker Lily, Chocolate Lily

Liliaceae (Lily Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: FRAF2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

On an erect stem, leafy in the upper part, leafless below, bloom several nodding, greenish-brown, deeply bowl-shaped flowers.

The genus name comes from Latin fritillus, meaning "dice box," in reference to the short, broad capsule characteristic of the genus. There are several species similar to Chocolate Lily. Spotted Mountain Bells (F. atropurpurea), also called Checker Lily throughout much of the West, has flowers 1/2-3/4" (1.3-2 cm) long, and leaves at least 15 times as long as wide. Black Lily or Kamchatka Fritillary (F. camchatcensis), from northwestern Washington to Alaska, has dark purplish-brown flowers. Another species called Chocolate Lily (F. biflora), from the Coast Ranges of California, has dark brownish, unmottled flowers, and all leaves on the lower part of the stem.