Fw: "Scarlet Bells" = Fritllaria meleagris?

 
Subject: "Scarlet Bells" = Fritllaria meleagris?

I have just purchased a plant locally calls "Scarlet Bells",  which is described as "native to California."  To my eyes, the plant is identical to Fritillaria meleagris (Snakeshead fritillary).  Is anyone familiar with this a plant that is "native to California" that is commonly known as "Scarlet Bells" or that is similar to the fritillary?
 
I suspect that this is a case of mistaken (or purloined) identity.  The plant is wholesaled in California at Nurserymen's Exchange and I purchased it at the local non-nursery called "Trader Joe's"
 
Thanks
 
Tim Toohey
Los Angeles
 
Tim: There is a California native Frittilary that is brownish and looks like the checkered lily.  It is called frittilaria biflora with a hybrid called "Martha Roderick" which has some red streaks.  I assume someone has come up with a reddish hybrid or some nurseryman has decided to call Martha Roderick "Scarlet Bells" because it sounds sexier. 
 
Karrie Reid
Folsom Foothill Gardener
Zone 9
 
 
 

Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index