Yellow trout lily

Overview

The yellow trout lily (Erythronium americanum) is a common spring ephemeral wildflower that ranges across the northeastern United States and eastern Canada. It is a perennial that grows in colonies and blooms between March and May. Each plant produces one bright yellow flower with backwards bending petals and has dark green leaves that are mottled with a purplish-brown coloration. Other names for the yellow trout lily include the American trout lily, eastern trout lily, yellow dogtooth violet, and adder's tongue. <ref>University of Texas. (19 March 2019). Erythronium americanum. https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=eram5 <\ref>

Growth and Reproduction

The natural habitat of yellow trout lilies is deciduous woodland, and they grow best in moist, acidic soil with part sun. The plants tend to grow in clumps, forming dense clusters of leaves and flowers, and typically reach 3 to 6 inches in height. Two versions of the yellow trout lily exist: sterile plants that do not produce flowers and reproduce via runners, and the flowering plants that reproduce via seeds.<ref>Holland, P. G. (1980). Transplant experiments with trout lily at Mont St Hilaire, Quebec. Journal of Biogeography, 261-267.<\ref><ref>Tessier, J. T. (2012). Methods of belowground movement in Erythronium americanum. Northeastern Naturalist, 19(sp6), 77-88.<\ref>