Brown bells

Fritillaria parviflora Torrey, Pacif. Railr. Rep. 4(5): 146. 1857, not Martius 1838

Bulb scales: large 1–4; small 12–60. Stem 4–9 dm. Leaves in 1–3 whorls of 4–6 leaves per node proximally, alternate distally, 4.5–15 cm, usually shorter than inflorescence; blade linear to narrowly lanceolate; distal leaves usually ± equaling proximalmost leaf. Flowers nodding; tepals purplish to greenish white, sometimes faintly mottled, 1–2 cm, apex not recurved; nectaries greenish white, dotted purple, narrowly lanceolate, more than 1/3 but less than 1/2 tepal length; style obviously branched for 1/3–2/3 its length, branches strongly recurved, longer than 1.5 mm. Capsules broadly winged. 2n = 24.

Flowering Apr--Jun. Dry benches and slopes to forest; 300--1800 m; Calif.