Dimpled trout lily (Erythronium umbilicatum)

Erythronium umbilicatum

Dimpled trout lily

er-ih-THROH-nee-um um-BIL-i-ca-tum

Perennial

4-9

4-10 in. H X 4-7 in. W

A single, nodding, lily-like flower on slightly curved 5-8 inch stalk; 6 petals, yellow on inside and brownish purple on outside, that flair and curve backward at tip; conspicuous brownish purple stamens; blooms for 2-3 weeks.

Early spring, February-March

Two green, fleshy, elliptic, basal leaves; 3-5 inches long and 2-3 inches wide; prominently mottled with irregular green, brown, purple splotches; leaves go dormant shortly after flowering is over (spring ephemeral).

Seeds in light green (changing to yellowish) capsule with a distinctly indented end; seeds ejected in late April or May.

Supports early pollinators and bees.

Usually found in rich hardwood forests, along streams and low areas, and in woods of flood plains, often in colonies.

By seed or division (removing offsets from mother bulb) of mature plants during dormant period (July-January); replant offsets at original depth, narrow end up.

Dimpled trout lily (Erythronium umbilicatum) grows in shade to partial shade; does best in hardwood forest-like settings with rich soil and filtered light in spring; quick to establish in slightly moist areas and on creek banks.

Transplanting tips: Plant, especially flower, quite fragile; bulb of mature (two leaf and flowering) specimen can be up to 18 inches deep and can seldom be dug up without damage; rescue young plants (single leaf without flower) with shallower bulbs; when digging, look for small white bulbs that look similar to a dog's canine tooth; this plant can be dug bare root if roots are protected from excessive drying; if the stem separates from the roots, plant the roots at the same level as they were originally growing, and the plant will resprout either later in the season or next season.

Other Common Names: Trout lily, Dog-Tooth Violet, Adder's Tongue, Dimpled Troutlily, Dimpled Dogtooth-Violet, Dimpled Fawn-Lily