Yellow Bells - August Calendar Flower

Yellow Bells - Fritillaria pudica

In the heat of the summer, this little flower reminds us of spring as it is one of the first plants to bloom after the snow thaws. It is a small plant, only 6-12” high, and blooms on a single stem with only a few leaves. After the tiny flower (less than 1”) blooms, all of the plant’s above-ground foliage disappears.

This is another flower portrait George captured on his trip cross country from California to Massachusetts. He notes that he snapped this little guy in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

I learned from Edna Rey-Vizgirdas article on the US Forest Service website that the bulbs of the Yellow Bells are very nutritious and were used both raw and cooked by many Indigenous People.

Lewis and Clark reported being delighted to see these beautiful Yellow Bells in May of 1806. Enjoy and think of cooler spring temps!