Yellow Mission-Bells
(Yellow fritillary)
Fritillaria pudica (Pursh) Spreng
Collected along the Clearwater River as the expedition traveled from Canyon Creek in Nez Perce Co. to near Little Canyon Creek in Clearwater Co., Idaho, on 8 May 1806. (Source)
The yellow mission bell is a small plant, rarely over 8" tall. The flowers are small, usually singular, about 3/4 inch long and are pure yellow color. The plants are ephemeral, the above ground parts disappearing a few weeks after flowering.
The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires
well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires dry or moist
soil. It ranges from grassland and sagebrush deserts to mixed coniferous
forests, also on stony mountain slopes from 400 - 2000 meters. It is found in the
Western Canada and in the Rocky Mountain states to Colorado.
Food Uses
Bulb is eaten raw or cooked. It can also be dried for later use. Rich
in starch, it is best used in the autumn. The raw bulb tastes like potatoes,
when cooked it tastes like rice. It can be eaten as a vegetable or can be added
to soups etc. The green seedpods can be eaten raw or cooked, are bitter but flavorful.