Fritillaries are herbaceous perennials in the Fritillaria genus of the lily family. Like lilies, fritillaries have bulbous roots. They go dormant during the dry season, dying back to just the underground bulb.

Native Species

Two fritillary species are native to Woodland, and two others are native to other parts of Yolo County.

Native to Woodland

Stinkbells (Fritillaria agrestis) are eighteen-inch-tall fritillaries that are native to all of Woodland, all of Davis, the northeastern third of West Sacramento, the eastern slopes of the Dunnigan Hills, and the area between Woodland and Davis. They prefer full sun and slow drainage. They are equally likely to grow in wet or dry areas. The nodding, greenish, unpleasantly scented flowers are "perfect" (containing both male and female parts). Stinkbells are ranked 2 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that they are a safe choice for hay fever suffers.

Adobe Lily (Fritillaria pluriflora) is a four-inch-tall fritillary that is native to the western three-quarters of Woodland, the extreme western edge of Davis, the Dunnigan Hills and the Sacramento Valley flatlands south of them, the Capay Hills, and the northern Yolo County foothills to the west of Capay Valley. It prefers full sun and slow drainage. It is often found in vernal pools. The pink flowers are "perfect" (containing both male and female parts). Adobe Lily is ranked 2 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that it is a safe choice for hay fever suffers.

Native to Yolo County

Checker Lily (Fritillaria affinis), also called Mission Bells, is a one- to three-foot-tall fritillary that is native to the Yolo County foothills (not including the Capay Hills). It prefers partial shade and good drainage. It grows only in dry areas. The nodding flowers, which are a mottled greenish-yellow and brownish-purple, are "perfect" (containing both male and female parts). Checker Lily is ranked 2 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that it is a safe choice for hay fever suffers.

Purdy's Fritillary (Fritillaria purdyi) is a one-foot-tall fritillary that is native to the Yolo County foothills (not including the Capay Hills). It prefers full sun. It grows only in dry areas. The nodding flowers, which are white or cream with greenish-yellow and brownish-purple mottling, are "perfect" (containing both male and female parts). Purdy's Fritillary is ranked 2 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that it is a safe choice for hay fever suffers.