About Fritillaria biflora Lindl.
Fritillaria biflora, commonly known as the chocolate lily or mission bells, is a species of fritillary that is native to western California in the United States and northern Baja California in Mexico. It grows in the chaparral and woodlands ecoregion, most often in serpentine soil formations and hillside grassland habitats. Fritillaria biflora is a bulbous herbaceous perennial that reaches up to 60 centimeters in height. It gets the common name "chocolate lily" from the fact that its flowers can resemble chocolate in color, though blooms may sometimes be greenish purple or yellowish green. Flowering occurs in March and April. Fritillaria biflora should not be confused with Arthropodium strictum, another plant that also shares the common name "chocolate lily". For Arthropodium strictum, the name refers to its chocolate-like scent rather than flower color. The Kamchatka fritillary, Fritillaria camschatcensis, is also sometimes called "chocolate lily" in Alaska.
