Talus fritillary

Fritillaria atropurpurea Nuttall var. falcata Jepson, Fl. Calif. 1: 309. 1921

Bulb scales: large 2–4; small 8–32. Stem 0.7–2 dm. Leaves 2–6, alternate, ± fleshy near stem, 3.5–8.5 cm; blade broadly linear, folded, sickle-shaped. Flowers erect; tepals clearly mottled rusty brown and yellow adaxially, greenish abaxially, obovate, 1.5–2.2 cm, apex not recurved; nectaries obscure, yellowish green, spotted brownish, broadly lanceolate to ± diamond-shaped, 1/2–2/3 tepal length; style obviously branched for ca. 2/3 its length, branches longer than 1.5 mm. Capsules acutely angled. 2n = 24.

Flowering Mar--Apr. Serpentine talus; of conservation concern; 300--1200 m; Calif.

This is a rare, relatively restricted endemic found only in the San Francisco Bay region and slightly northward.