Wildflower Spot – March 2007

John Clayton Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society

Erythronium americanum Yellow PresidentTrout of the John Lily Clayton (or Chapter, VNPSDog-Tooth Violet) InBy earlyHelen Hamilton,spring, look for a

season. It is important to bright yellow flower, drooping choose an appropriate site, towards the ground (“its eyes with sun in the spring — to look downwards”). Each stem warm the earth and provide is only 4-6 inches tall with a enough light for the lilies to solitary flower on top. A member make and store food — and of the lily family, the trout lily shade or partial shade in the has flower parts in threes, i. e., summer. Trout lilies are lovely 3 yellow “sepals” and 3 yellow intermingled with other spring “petals” and 6 stamens in two ephemerals such as bloodroot circles of three. The fleshy or spring beauties. They do not green leaves with purple mottling are equally transplant well. distinctive in the forest litter. The common name refers to the appearance Because trout lilies are difficult to grow from of the flowers during trout fishing season, seed, many bulb suppliers and nurseries sell and to the brown and purple spotted leaves. the bulbs, which can be planted in the fall. If “Dogtooth violet” refers to the appearance of left undisturbed, plants will slowly spread the bulbs, although this plant is not related to by underground shoots. Despite its ability violets. Trout lily is found throughout the state to spread, the trout lily is not considered an of Virginia, and ranges south to Florida and aggressive spreader but rather a delight to have Alabama. in one’s garden. Trout lily grows best in moist, acidic woodland soils, but can adapt to growing While not recommended today because of in many types of gardens. some toxicity, Iroquois women ate the leaves to prevent conception and the plant has anti- Remember to buy from nurseries that guarantee bacterial properties.Erythronium umbilicatum looks nursery-propagated seeds or plants as our E. americanum native plants and habitats are at risk from being A close relative, E. americanum depleted. very much like , butErythronium its fruit has a umbilicatumdepression at the tip. The fruit of v The flowers have a short life, but the leaves is rounded or flat at the summit. remain as ground cover throughout the growing also occurs extensively in Virginia.

Photo: Erythronium americanum

Yellow Trout Lily ( ) taken by Helen Hamilton For more information about native plants visit www.vnps.org.