Fritillaria pudica, commonly known as Yellow Fritillary or Yellow Missionbells, is a perennial herb native to the sagebrush steppe and grasslands of the Intermountain West in North America, including regions of the western United States and parts of Canada. It is a diminutive plant, typically growing 4 to 12 inches (10 to 30 cm) tall. The species is characterized by its nodding, bell-shaped, yellow flowers that bloom in early spring, often as one of the first plants to flower following snowmelt. As the flowers mature, they transition to a brick-red color. The plant’s foliage is narrow and grass-like, and it forms a bulb (corm) underground which was historically consumed by Native Americans.

Yellow Fritillary is valued for its early spring blooms and adaptability to rock gardens and naturalized areas. It is often used in xeriscaping due to its low water requirements. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to light shade and well-drained, sandy or loamy soils. While it is relatively low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to bulb rot if overwatered or planted in poorly drained soils. Gardeners should be aware that the plant may go dormant by midsummer, especially in hotter climates.CC BY-SA 4.0