Gentner’s Fritillary
Fritillaria gentneri is unique to Jacksonville and the hills southward to just over the California border. It was discovered in 1942, in Jacksonville, by 18 y.o. Laura Gentner who noted it’s distinct morphologic difference from the common crimson F. recurva. It was recognized as a distinct species in 1951. It is on the endangered species list.
In spring the first fritillaria to appear are recurva, pure crimson with coiled petal tips. Two weeks later the gentneri bloom. Late in the season gentneri predominate.
Pictured also is F. affinis (mission bell or chocolate lily), one of only several appearing in the Britt Woods, 2024. Morphologically Gentner’s appears to be a hybrid of affinis and recurva (color, petal shape) and this is supported by genetic data. Jacksonville is at the extreme southern end of the range of affinis and in the northern most range of recurva, hence is the likely location for this natural hybrid.
Photos courtesy Richard Handler, Jacksonville
