I continue to be amazed by the beauty and adaptability of woodland wildflowers. Their ability to survive and thrive under what is often summer dense shade is incredible. Many complete their entire life cycle in just a few short weeks in the spring, before leaves form on the overhead tree canopy. By early summer they have begun their long nap until the following spring.
So it is with the genus Erythronium, commonly known as Trout Lily, Fawn Lily, or Dog’s Tooth Violet. This member of the lily family, the Liliaceae, is found in partly shaded forests and meadows of Eurasia and North America. All arise from tooth-shaped bulbs (hence the name Dog’s Tooth Violet) and reach heights of six to eight inches. Of the approximately 30 species, two are found in Wisconsin.
Erythronium albidum, White Trout Lily, is the most common species in Southeastern Wisconsin, though it can be found throughout the state and most areas of the Eastern US. The leaves are mottled, giving the impression of a trout with its head stuck in the ground. Foliage emerges in early April, followed by nodding star-like flowers two to four weeks later. The flowers are mostly white but may have tinges of pink. They form on a leafless stalk that shoots up between two leaves. The flowers may remain open for two weeks if unfertilized, but if pollinated by insects they will wither within a week. Shortly after the plant sets seed, the foliage turns yellow and dies to the ground.
Erythronium americanum, Yellow Trout Lily, blooms at the same time but with yellow flowers. It too is found in Southern Wisconsin but is more common in the Northern counties and Eastern states. Besides these two species I also grow Erythronium californicum ‘White Beauty’, a plant native to Northern California but perfectly hardy in Southern Wisconsin. The large flowers are yellowish-white in color. Foliage is slightly spotted.
Grown from seed, Erythronium may not flower for six to seven years. The plant reproduces both by seed and bulb offsets and often forms large colonies. Indigenous Americans feasted on the bulbs but early settlers found it too laborious to dig up large quantities of the small structures to include in their meals. This is fortunate, for frequent browsing will quickly deplete a colony. The plant needs to complete its life cycle to survive; the bulb will die if the flowers and leaves are picked during the growing season.
To obtain Erythronium, look for it in bulb catalogs in the fall. Plant it like any other fall bulb and wait for its emergence in the spring. Depending on the bulb size, it may not bloom for a few years, but will be worth the wait. Even the foliage alone is interesting in the spring, especially if grown with other native woodland wildflowers. Trout Lily is a great addition to any shade garden.
The Cottage Gardener 