Catherine Miller found these lovely native wildflowers growing on the bluffs in southern Mendocino county - Mission Bells. They are also called Checker Lily.
These flowers are members of the Lily family and their scientific name is Fritillaria affinis. Promise you will never dig up one in the wild.
Thanks to Catherine for allowing me to share her photo with you here.
We have a big, juicy storm headed our way. Batten down the hatches!
Here are three more native wildflowers found by Mary Sue Ittner on a recent hike. She and her fellow hikers were excited to find California Indian Pink, Silene laciniata ssp. californica.
Western Colt's Foot, Petasites frigidus var. palmatus, was also seen.
And finally Mary Sue was happy to see Checker Lily, also called Mission Bells, Fritillaria affinis. During the drought this wildflower was mostly absent. Welcome back, Checker Lily!
Thanks again to Mary Sue for allowing me to share these photos with you here.
I have not yet seen these perennial wildflowers. They grow near oaks and can be hard to spot. Frank first noticed the stems and then went back to capture this magnificent photo.
Mission Bells, also called Checker Lily, are members of the Lily family. Their scientific name is Fritillaria affinis. Below is a closeup of the flower.
In Reny Parker's wildflower book she writes,
"Mission Bells
the sound in the forest
no one's around to hear."
Thanks to Frank for allowing me to share his photos with you here.