Trout
Lily
Erythronium
americanum
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Trout
Lily? Also called Dogtooth Violet, but the beatifully mottled leaves always
remind me of a trout. They are frequently found next to streams, but will
also grow on drier soil if there is underground water available. These
attractive members of the lily family grow from 3-7" high, and are extremely
colonial - one way they spread is by sending out cloned copies of themselves
on runners. Often you will find a large patch of Trout Lilies with only
a few mature, blooming adults - the rest are single-leaved "juveniles".
Trout Lilies are one of the dozen or so "true spring ephemerals", which
are spring wildflowers that appear very early in the year, then bloom and
fade away before spring has even moved into summer. By mid May there will
not be a trace of these plants in sight. For myself, I can mark the arrival
of spring when I finally see the abundant leaves emerging through the leaf
litter of my back "yard". They are one of the first to emerge at mid-elevations,
matching the Spring Beauty for timing. fdudley@weaversites.com
Fiona Dudley
Weaversites
986 Reems Creek Road
Weaverville NC 28787
828-231-1501
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