Fritillaria recurva, commonly known as Scarlet Fritillary, is a perennial herb with a bulbous base, native to the western United States, specifically in regions from southwest Oregon to northern California. It thrives in dry, open woodlands, grasslands, and chaparral at elevations ranging from 984 to 7218 feet. Scarlet Fritillary reaches a height of 12 to 36 inches and is notable for its striking bell-shaped flowers that bloom from April to June. The flowers are a vivid scarlet with yellow checkered patterns on the inside and are known for their recurved tepals, which curve back as they mature, giving the plant its distinctive appearance.

Scarlet Fritillary is valued for its unique and showy flowers, which make it a desirable addition to native plant gardens, rock gardens, and wildflower meadows. It requires well-drained soil, minimal water once established, and full sun to part shade conditions. While it is not commonly used in mass plantings due to its specific habitat requirements, it can be a standout specimen in suitable gardens. Gardeners should note that the bulbs are sensitive to overwatering and may rot if drainage is poor. There are no major disease issues, but the plant can be susceptible to bulb rot in wet conditions. It is not known to be invasive when grown outside its native range.CC BY-SA 4.0