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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2008
Spring Ephemeral PlantProfile: Trout lily (Erythronium americanum)
A very early spring bloomer here in Georgia, Trout lily can be found in small groups of a few dozen, but more oftenforms large colonies. This herbaceous perennial prefers rich woods with slightly acidic well drained soil in semi-shade. Nativeto Eastern N. American it can be found from New Brunswick toFlorida and west to Ontario and Arkansas.Propagation is by seed or transplantation of the corm in fall. Innature, the Trout lily is pollinated by ants that also may dispersethe seed. However, a plant grown from seed may take up to eight years to mature and reproduce. If propagating by corms, theseshould be planted deep for their size (three to five inches) and you may expect the colony to multiply from offshoots of thiscorm.This plant can best be identified by two distinctive basal leaves.These are a shinny dark green and mottled purple. The leavesgrow approximately three inches long and one inch wide. Overall,Trout lily willreach a heightof four to teninches.Flower colorcan range from very pale to bright yellow shows brownishstreaks on thesepals, whichmay be lighterthan the primary petals. In size it can be up to three inches across withsix tepals (3 petals and 3 sepals) folding upwards. When the petals arefully reflexed, the bloom is approximately one inch across.The name Trout lily derives from the speckled leaves, which remind usof a speckled trout. Also known as Dogtooth violet (referring to theshape of the bulb), this plant is definitely a member of the lily family (
Liliaceae
) and not a violet. Other common names include Adder’stongue, Serpent’s tongue, Yellow Adder’s tongue, Yellow fawn-lily and Yellow snowdrop.Trout lily is reported to have been used by many Native Americangroups as a contraceptive, and as fish bait. However, it is known tohave strong emetic properties and not recommend consumption by humans or pets. A similar plant in appearance, the white flowered Trout lily is actually a different species
E. Albidum
, and is quite rare.Over the next few weeks, I will provide plant profiles for several other spring ephemerals native to the United States. Inaddition, I would be happy to entertain any questions you might have, and to hear about the experience of others aroundthe country who are growing these plants – especially if in urban gardens.
POSTED BY KAY STEPHENSON AT10:42 AM
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ABOUT ME AND NATIVE PLANTS
Kay Stephenson is a transplant toGeorgia from the St. LawrenceRiver valley of New York. An avidgardener, she served on the boardof theGeorgia Native PlantSociety and advocates for the useof native plants through severalother park and greenspaceorganizations likePiedmont Park Conservancy .Georgia Gardeninghas published several of herarticles. In the interest of fulldisclosure, her own gardens arenot exclusively native, but she is working on it. A freelance writer and fiber artist,Kay lives in Atlanta, Ga with herhusband, Mark, and her dog,Lady.
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