In Search of Chocolate Lilies

By March 20, 2010January 8th, 2022California, Flora, Wildflowers

I got out early this morning with Mike. We went looking for chocolate lilies (Fritillaria biflora) on the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve. We got there at sunrise. It was warm and clear. We found a lot of lilies. They were so dark brown I am declaring them to be a new sub-species, or at least a new variety: Super Double-Kahlua Belgian Chocolate Lily, Fritillaria biflora kahluensis belgiatica. Lucky for us the lilies were near peak, with some past and some coming into peak now. I spent some time shooting oaks and a big vernal pool panorama. I got back home by noon (yay, no ticks).

Chocolate lily growing among grasses on oak-covered hillsides. The chocolate lily is a herbaceous perennial monocot that is increasingly difficult to find in the wild due to habitat loss. The flower is a striking brown color akin to the color of chocolate, Fritillaria biflora, Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, Murrieta, California

Chocolate lily growing among grasses on oak-covered hillsides. The chocolate lily is a herbaceous perennial monocot that is increasingly difficult to find in the wild due to habitat loss. The flower is a striking brown color akin to the color of chocolate.
Image ID: 24366
Species: Chocolate lily, Fritillaria biflora
Location: Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, Murrieta, California, USA

Shooting stars, a springtime flower, blooming on the Santa Rosa Plateau, Dodecatheon clevelandii, Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, Murrieta, California

Shooting stars, a springtime flower, blooming on the Santa Rosa Plateau.
Image ID: 24368
Species: Shooting star, Dodecatheon clevelandii
Location: Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, Murrieta, California, USA

Oak tree at sunrise, Santa Rosa Plateau, Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, Murrieta, California

Oak tree at sunrise, Santa Rosa Plateau.
Image ID: 24382
Location: Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, Murrieta, California, USA

Chocolate lily growing among grasses on oak-covered hillsides. The chocolate lily is a herbaceous perennial monocot that is increasingly difficult to find in the wild due to habitat loss. The flower is a striking brown color akin to the color of chocolate, Fritillaria biflora, Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, Murrieta, California

Chocolate lily growing among grasses on oak-covered hillsides. The chocolate lily is a herbaceous perennial monocot that is increasingly difficult to find in the wild due to habitat loss. The flower is a striking brown color akin to the color of chocolate.
Image ID: 24369
Species: Chocolate lily, Fritillaria biflora
Location: Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, Murrieta, California, USA

California poppies grow on Santa Rosa Plateau in spring, Eschscholzia californica, Eschscholtzia californica, Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, Murrieta

California poppies grow on Santa Rosa Plateau in spring.
Image ID: 24371
Species: California poppy, Eschscholzia californica, Eschscholtzia californica
Location: Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, Murrieta, California, USA

Vernal pool, full of water following spring rains, Santa Rosa Plateau, Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, Murrieta, California

Vernal pool, full of water following spring rains, Santa Rosa Plateau.
Image ID: 24375
Location: Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, Murrieta, California, USA

Vernal pool, full of water following spring rains, Santa Rosa Plateau, Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, Murrieta, California

Vernal pool, full of water following spring rains, Santa Rosa Plateau.
Image ID: 24379
Location: Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, Murrieta, California, USA

Panorama of a large vernal pool, full of water following spring rains, Santa Rosa Plateau, Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, Murrieta, California

Panorama of a large vernal pool, full of water following spring rains, Santa Rosa Plateau.
Image ID: 24381
Location: Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, Murrieta, California, USA

About Phil Colla

I am a natural history photographer. I enjoy making compelling images in the ocean, on land, and in the air. I have maintained the Natural History Photography blog since 2005 and my searchable Natural History Photography Library since 1997. Here are some tear sheets and behind the scenes views. Thanks for looking!