Fritillaria atropurpurea, commonly known as Spotted Fritillary or Purple Fritillary, is a perennial herb native to the mountainous regions of the western United States, including California, Arizona, Oregon, and extending to North Dakota. It is typically found in open woodlands, meadows, and grassy slopes at elevations of 3,300 to 10,500 feet, where it thrives in well-drained soils rich in organic matter. The plant reaches a modest height of 4 to 16 inches (10 to 40 cm) and features narrow, lance-shaped leaves. The distinctive nodding flowers, which appear from late spring to early summer, have yellowish or cream-colored tepals heavily mottled with dark purple-brown, giving them a striking appearance.

Spotted Fritillary is valued for its unique, checkered flowers that add an exotic touch to rock gardens, woodland plantings, and naturalized areas. It is relatively low-maintenance, requiring minimal water once established and preferring partial shade to mimic its native understory conditions. While not commonly used in large-scale cultivation, it is sought after by enthusiasts of native and alpine plants. Gardeners should be aware that Fritillaria species can be susceptible to bulb rot if planted in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0