Fritillaria affinis aka Checker Lily

Fritillaria affinis is a bulb in the lily family, Liliaceae. Its common names include chocolate lily and checker lily. It comes from western Canada and the western United States. It grows in temperate regions and occupies a wide range of habitats. These include prairies, grassy bluffs, woods, and conifer forests. Wild plants grow from sea level to about 4,920 feet [1,500 metres]. They often grow in leaf-rich soil above a stony layer.

Plants reach about 2 feet [0.6 metres] in height. Below ground, a small bulb bears many tiny, rice-like bulblets. These small bulbs explain the name rice-grain fritillary. The species varies in form and has value as an ornamental. Flowers appear from April to May. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the flowers. The young seedpods have recorded food uses, as do the bulbs.

In gardens, this plant suits woodland edges and dappled shade. It can also grow in sun. Give it light, well-drained soil with moisture during growth. Sandy woodland soil suits it well, though loam is also suitable. It accepts mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline soil. Keep bulbs fairly dry through summer and withhold water during hot spells. A bulb frame can help provide these conditions. PFAF lists USDA hardiness zones 4–8. Good drainage and a dry summer rest guide its care.

Seed-grown plants take three to five years to flower. Sow fresh seed in a cold frame once it ripens. It should sprout the next spring. Stored seed may take a year or more to sprout. Protect young plants from frost during this early stage. Thin sowing reduces the need to move small seedlings. Young bulbs need several seasons of sheltered growth before planting out. Plant them out while dormant, or divide offsets in August.

PFAF records bulbs as food eaten raw, cooked, or dried. Their starch-rich bulbs were a staple for some Indigenous North American peoples. The bulbs and bulblets become tender when cooked but taste slightly bitter. Autumn is the preferred harvest season in that account. Immature seedpods can also be eaten raw or cooked. They have a bitter taste. PFAF reports no known hazards, but provides no specific pet-safety assessment. It lists no medicinal uses or other practical uses beyond food. It also records no weed potential.