Black fritillary 'Martha Roderick' Fritillaria biflora 'Martha Roderick'
ABOUT
'Martha Roderick' is a bulbous perennial to 30cm tall, with glossy lance-shaped leaves and deep reddish-purple, bell-shaped flowers, each tepal white in the outer half, opening in early spring
About this plant
- Names
Family
Liliaceae
Synonyms
Chocolate Lily, Mission Bells
Common names
Fritillaria biflora 'Martha Roderick'.
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Purple
Height
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Spread
1 feet (30 cm)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
8
Native area
California
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal: The plant features visually striking dark purple to nearly black bell-shaped flowers, which can enhance the visual interest of gardens or landscapes.
- Native Pollinator Support: As a native plant, it provides nectar and pollen for local pollinator species, thus contributing to the biodiversity of the area.
- Low Maintenance: Fritillaria biflora 'Martha Roderick' is known for being a low-maintenance plant that does not require frequent watering or fertilization once established.
- Drought Tolerance: It is well-suited for regions with limited rainfall, as it can tolerate periods of drought.
- Naturalizing: The plant is capable of naturalizing in appropriate conditions, which means it can spread and create a self-sustaining population in the landscape.
- Seasonal Interest: Its blooming period in spring provides seasonal interest, marking the transition from winter to spring with its unique flowers.
- Wildlife Habitat: The plant can serve as a habitat for various insects and small animals, offering shelter and breeding grounds.
- Educational Interest: It can be used as a teaching tool for botanical and ecological education due to its unique characteristics and role in the ecosystem.
- Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
- Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
- Other Uses
- The bulbs of the chocolate lily can be crushed and used as a natural dye for textiles, providing a range of earthy tones.
- In landscape design, the chocolate lily can be planted to add visual interest in rock gardens due to its nodding, bell-shaped flowers.
- The plant can be used in cut flower arrangements, especially in rustic or wildflower-themed bouquets, due to its unique appearance.
- Chocolate lily can serve as a teaching tool in botanical and horticultural education for studying bulb development and propagation.
- The plant's seed pods can be dried and used in decorative crafts, giving a natural aesthetic to homemade creations.
- Gardeners might cultivate chocolate lily to attract and support pollinators like bees, as the flowers offer pollen and nectar.
- In photography, the unique structure and color of the chocolate lily can provide an intriguing subject for macro and nature photography.
- Chocolate lily can be integrated into a sensory garden; its flowers have a chocolate-like scent that provides an olfactory experience.
- As ground cover in shaded areas, the chocolate lily can help to suppress weeds due to its foliage and seasonal growth habit.
- Enthusiasts of rare and endangered plants often grow chocolate lily as part of conservation efforts to preserve the biodiversity of native species.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
Chocolate Lily is not used in Feng Shui practice.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
Chocolate Lily is not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
- Perseverance: Due to its ability to bloom in harsh conditions, Fritillaria biflora commonly symbolizes perseverance and the will to thrive despite challenges.
- Mystery: Often found in dappled shade and carrying bell-shaped flowers that nod downwards, the Chocolate Lily is associated with mystery and subtle enchantment.
- Grace: The delicate and unique checkered pattern of its flowers can represent natural elegance and a gracious quality.
- Uniqueness: Chocolate Lilies, with their distinctive appearance and less common occurrence, symbolize individuality and celebrating what makes one unique.
- Protection: In some traditions, bulb flowers like Fritillaria are believed to offer protection from bad spirits and negative influences due to their sometimes pungent smell.
- Water
For the Chocolate Lily, it's key to mimic its natural habitat which includes periods of dryness. Water thoroughly when the soil surface appears dry, typically once a week during active growth. In cooler seasons or during dormancy, reduce watering frequency to bi-weekly or less, allowing soil to dry out more between watering. When watering, apply water gently near the base of the plant until it begins to run through the drainage holes, signaling that the soil is saturated. Chocolate Lilies typically require around 1 inch of water every one to two weeks, depending on climate and soil conditions, or roughly half a gallon for medium-sized pots.
- Light
Chocolate Lily thrives best in partial shade to full sun, making dappled sunlight its ideal lighting condition. Place the plant in a location where it receives morning light and protection from the intense afternoon sun. A bright spot with filtered light that mimics its natural woodland settings will encourage healthy growth.
- Temperature
Chocolate Lilies prefer moderate temperatures and can be sensitive to extreme heat or frost. The ideal temperature range is between 50°F and 75°F. They can survive temporarily outside of this range but should not be subjected to temperatures below 30°F or above 85°F for sustained periods. Ensuring proper insulation during colder months can help maintain these temperature parameters.
- Pruning
Pruning Chocolate Lilies is typically not necessary as they are not prone to excessive growth. However, after flowering, spent blooms can be removed to maintain a neat appearance and prevent seed formation if desired. The best time for any necessary pruning is in the late fall or early spring, just before new growth begins.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
Chocolate lily prefers well-draining soil with a mix of loam, sand, and organic matter, and thrives in a soil pH of 6.0-7.0 for optimal growth.
- Repotting
Chocolate lilies should be repotted every two to three years to replenish the soil and accommodate bulb growth.
- Humidity & Misting
Chocolate lily requires moderate humidity levels but is generally adaptable as long as the soil moisture is well-maintained without waterlogging.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Place chocolate lily in bright, indirect light; ensure good airflow.
Outdoor
Plant in dappled shade or morning sun, protect from harsh elements.
Hardiness zone
7-9 USDA
- Life cycle
The Chocolate Lily or Fritillaria biflora 'Martha Roderick' begins its life cycle as a bulb, which lies dormant underground during the summer. In the fall, with cooler temperatures and the onset of the rainy season, the bulb sends up a shoot. By late winter to early spring, the plant flowers, producing chocolate-colored, bell-shaped flowers that are pollinated by insects, typically bees. After flowering, the Chocolate Lily sets seed which will be dispersed by wind or animals, or the plant may reproduce vegetatively through bulb offsets. The foliage then dies back as the plant enters a summer dormant period to conserve energy for the next growing season. During this dormancy, the bulb remains in the soil, awaiting the environmental cues to begin the cycle anew in the fall.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Spring
The most popular method of propagating Fritillaria biflora 'Martha Roderick', commonly known as the chocolate lily, is through bulb division. This process is typically done in the late summer after the foliage has died back and the plant is dormant. Gardeners carefully dig up the bulbs and gently separate any offsets, which are smaller bulbs that have formed at the base of the parent bulb. These offsets can be replanted immediately at a depth of about 3 inches (approximately 7.5 centimeters) in well-draining soil with some added organic matter. It is important to space the bulbs about 6 inches (15 centimeters) apart to allow for adequate room for growth. Care should be taken not to damage the bulbs during division as they are quite delicate. After planting, it is important to water the bulbs in, and then wait for them to emerge in the following growing season.