Fritillaria affinis

Fritillaria affinis is also called Chocolate lily, Checker lily, Rice root and Mission bells. It is in the Lilliaceae family, a family of monocotyledons. This plant is also called Fritillaria lanceolata some of the time.

Description

Perennial herb from a small, scaly bulb and numerous rice-sized offset bulblets, the unbranched, glabrous stem 1.5-10 dm. tall.Fritillaria affinis

Leaves

1-2 whorls of 3-5 and scattered upward, lanceolate, 5-15 cm. long and 3-25 mm. broad.

Flowers

Usually 2-5 in a raceme, broadly bell-shaped, pendant, strongly mottled, purplish to greenish or yellowish; tepals 6, lanceolate, distinct, 20-30 mm. long; the 6 slender filaments 2-3 times as long as the anthers; styles attached to each other about 1/3 of their length.Flowers usually 2-5 in a raceme, broadly bell-shaped, pendant, strongly mottled, purplish to greenish or yellowish; tepals 6, lanceolate, distinct, 20-30 mm. long; the 6 slender filaments 2-3 times as long as the anthers; styles attached to each other about 1/3 of their length.

Fruits

capsules 2 cm. long, broadly winged.

Bloom Period

February - June

Seed

Abbreviation: FRAF

Seed sample from: 2011

Average Measurement: 6.1 x 4.5 x 0.4

Measurement Range: L: 5.5 – 7, W: 3.5 – 5, D: 0.2 - 0.5

Features

Shape: Seeds very flat and tear drop shaped. Seeds widely winged. Seed coat somewhat transparent, making seed body visible.

Color: Hilium is visible as a small darker brown dot on pointed end of seed. Seed is golden/brown/bronze.

Surface: Surface is lustrous and finely and erratically ridged, giving the seed an overall bumpy/pitted look.

Latitudinal Cross Section: elliptical

Longitudinal Cross Section: elliptical