John Clayton Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society’s
Wildflower Spot – March 2007
YELLOW TROUT LILY [OR DOG-TOOTH
VIOLET]
Erythronium americanum
In early spring, look
for a bright yellow flower, drooping towards the ground (“its
eyes look downwards”). Each stem is only 4-6 inches tall
with a solitary flower on top. A member of the lily
family, the trout lily has flower parts in threes, i. e., 3
yellow “sepals” and 3 yellow “petals” and 6 stamens in two
circles of three. The fleshy green leaves with purple
mottling are equally distinctive in the forest litter.
Because trout lilies are difficult to grow
from seed, many bulb suppliers and nurseries sell the bulbs,
which can be planted in the fall. If left undisturbed,
plants will slowly spread by underground shoots. Despite
its ability to spread, the trout lily is not considered an
aggressive spreader but rather a delight to have in one's
garden. Trout lily grows best in moist, acidic woodland
soils, but can adapt to growing in many types of gardens.
Remember to buy from nurseries that guarantee
nursery-propagated seeds or plants as our native plants and
habitats are at risk from being depleted.
The flowers have a short
life, but the leaves remain as ground cover throughout the
growing season. It is important to choose an appropriate
site, with sun in the spring — to warm the earth and provide
enough light for the lilies to make and store food — and shade
or partial shade in the summer. Trout lilies are lovely
intermingled with other spring ephemerals such as bloodroot or
spring beauties. They do not transplant well.
The common name refers
to the appearance of the flowers during trout fishing season,
and to the brown and purple spotted leaves. “Dogtooth
violet” refers to the appearance of the bulbs, although this
plant is not related to violets. Trout lily is found
throughout the state of Virginia, and ranges south to Florida
and Alabama.
While not recommended
today because of some toxicity, Iroquois women ate the leaves to
prevent conception and the plant has anti-bacterial properties.
A close relative,
Erythronium umbilicatum looks very much like E.
americanum, but its fruit has a depression at the tip.
The fruit of E. americanum is rounded or flat at the
summit. Erythronium umbilicatum also occurs
extensively in Virginia.
