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Home  /  Plants  /  Budburst Species  /  Erythronium americanum
Phenology Observation Sheet for Wildflowers and Herbs

COMMON NAME

Dogtooth violet

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Erythronium americanum

ALSO KNOWN AS

Trout lily, Yellow trout lily, or Yellow dogtooth violet

Plant family

Lily (Liliaceae)

Plant group

Wildflowers and Herbs

Also commonly known as trout lily. It gets its name from the speckled leaves, reminiscent of the speckled skin of a trout. The delicate flowers are an eye catching yellow.
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OBSERVERS
417+
OBSERVATIONS
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Identification hints

This early-spring ephemeral ranges in height from 6 to 10 inches.  Trout lily is named for its speckled leaves, reminiscent of the skin of a trout. The delicate flowers are an eye catching yellow.
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Did you know?

Traditionally the bulbs and leaves of this species were eaten, either raw or cooked. The plant was also used medicinally to heal ulcers and as a contraceptive. The plant is believed to be mildly emetic and antibiotic.
DISTRIBUTION IN TH U.S.
Alabama , Arkansas , Connecticut , Delaware , Georgia , Iowa , Illinois , Indiana , Kentucky , Louisiana , Massachusetts , Maryland , Maine , Michigan , Minnesota , Missouri , Mississippi , North Carolina , New Hampshire , New Jersey , New York , Ohio , Pennsylvania , Rhode Island , South Carolina , Tennessee , Virginia , Vermont , Wisconsin , West Virginia
HABITAT
Moist, well-drained, humus soil; partial shade to shade; rich woods and bottomlands. Western Ontario to Louisiana, east to Georgia and Quebec.
ATTRIBUTES
Leaves
One to two basal, elliptic leaves 4 to 6 in (10 to 15 cm) long; approximately 2 in (5 cm) wide. Leaves are waxy, have no hairs, and have smooth edges. Leaves can be solid green, or a mottled combination of pale green or brown. The speckled leaves are a key identification feature.
Flowers
Individual yellow flowers resemble the typical lily, and range from 1 to 1.5 in (3.75 cm) wide. Plants produce one flowering stalk, with a single flower. Flowers face downward, and the six petal-like parts curve backward and are often tinged with purple or brown on the back. Stamens protrude from the center of the flower, face downward, and have long brown anthers, which open to release pollen. Looking into the center of the flower, the yellow petals have brown spots.
Fruits
A dry, three-chambered, football shaped capsule approximately ¾ in (2 cm) long. Each chamber holds two rows of flattened seeds.
Bloom Time
March to May; each bloom lasts approximately two weeks.

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