Quick answer: Checker lily (Fritillaria affinis) is native to 3 states. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. It's typically seeds, verified 15 Sep 2026.
Photo: Eric Hunt, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Where it's native
Listed in the directory as native to these states. Click a state for its full native-plant guide.
Growing conditions
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database.
| Sun | Not recorded in the wildflower.org profile |
|---|---|
| Water | Not recorded in the wildflower.org profile |
| Soil | grassy or brushy flats and slopes, or open woods |
| Bloom | Feb-Jun |
| Height | Up to 4 ft |
| Wildlife value | wildlife use not specified |
bulbs mildly toxic if consumed raw (alkaloids), traditionally cooked before eating
Buying it
Sold true to the wild species as of the last check (15 Sep 2026), via Amazon.
Sold as: Seeds via Amazon · listing verified 15 Sep 2026
See where to buy →Quick answers about Checker lily
Where is Checker lily native?
Checker lily (Fritillaria affinis) is native to California, Oregon and Washington. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Checker lily bloom?
Checker lily blooms Feb-Jun. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Checker lily need?
Soil: grassy or brushy flats and slopes, or open woods. Mature height: Up to 4 ft.
Is Checker lily good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: wildlife use not specified.
Is Checker lily toxic?
bulbs mildly toxic if consumed raw (alkaloids), traditionally cooked before eating.
Where can I buy real Checker lily seed or plants?
We found a listing sold as seeds that names the true species, last checked 15 Sep 2026. Look for the scientific name Fritillaria affinis on any listing.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Checker lily.
- Common camas Camassia quamash
- Douglas iris Iris douglasiana
- Tall Oregon grape Mahonia aquifolium
- Henderson's shooting star Dodecatheon hendersonii
- Pacific aster Symphyotrichum chilense
- Pacific trillium Trillium ovatum
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