Mission bells facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mission bells
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
Order:	Liliales
Family:	Liliaceae
Genus:	Fritillaria
Species:	F. biflora
Binomial name
Fritillaria biflora Lindl.
Synonyms
Amblirion lanceolatum Sweet Fritillaria biflora var. inflexa Jeps. Fritillaria kamtschatcensis Torr. (not Fritillaria camschatcensis (L.) Ker Gawler) Fritillaria lanceolata Torr. Fritillaria succulenta Elmer Liliorhiza viridis Kellogg

Fritillaria biflora (chocolate lily, mission bells) is a species of fritillary native to western California and northern Baja California. It occurs in the chaparral and woodlands ecoregion, often in serpentine soil formations and hillside grassland habitats.

Fritillaria biflora is a perennial herb up to 60 cm tall. It is called "chocolate lily" because its flowers can resemble the color of chocolate, although sometimes they are dark brown, greenish purple, or yellowish green. Flowers bloom in March and April.

Fritillaria biflora should not be confused with Arthropodium strictum, which is also called "chocolate lily". In the latter, the scent is reminiscent of chocolate, rather than the color. The Kamchatka fritillary (F. camschatcensis) is sometimes also called "chocolate lily" in Alaska.

Varieties

Two varieties are recognized:

• Fritillaria biflora var. biflora—leaves widely lanceolate, most of the species range
• Fritillaria biflora var. ineziana Jeps., Fl. Calif. 1: 306 (1922). -- leaves narrowly lanceolate, endangered taxon known only from one location in San Mateo County