Fritillaria pudica

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Yellow Fritillary
Yellow Fritillary flower
Conservation status
Secure
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Liliales Family: Liliaceae Genus: Fritillaria Species: F. pudica
Binomial name
Fritillaria pudica (Pursh) Sprengel

Yellow Fritillary (Fritillaria pudica) is a small, charming plant of sagebrush country in the western U.S. It is a member of the Lily family, or Liliaceae. Another name is 'yellowbells,' since it has a bell-shaped yellow flower. It may be found in dryish, loose soil; it is amongst the first plants to flower after the snow melts, but the flower does not last very long; as the petals age, they turn a brick-red colour and begin to curl outward.

This lily produces a small bulb, which can be dug up and eaten fresh or cooked; it served Native Americans as a good source of food in times past, and is still eaten occasionally.