dimpled trout lily

Erythronium umbilicatum

The dimpled trout lily is a beautiful flower that blooms in spring. Its unique shape and spotted leaves make it stand out in the forest, where it loves to grow.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The dimpled trout lily has mottled, lance-shaped green leaves resembling a trout's skin, often appearing in pairs. Its nodding, bright yellow, bell-shaped flower blooms singly on a slender stalk, with petals that curl backward. The distinctive fruit forms with a 'dimple' at its tip.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderLilialesFamilyLiliaceaeGenusErythronium

Photo: DcrjsrCC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗

dimpled trout lily

Interesting facts

Early Native Americans sometimes ate its leaves and bulbs for food, especially during lean times!

It takes nearly seven years for a trout lily seed to grow big enough to bloom its first flower!

The unique 'dimple' on its seed pod gives this specific trout lily its special name!

Trout lilies spend most of their lives as a hidden bulb underground, just waiting for spring!

Special abilities

The dimpled trout lily can sprout and flower super early in spring, capturing sunshine before forest trees grow leaves.

It has seeds with yummy sugary caps that ants carry away, helping the plant spread its babies far and wide.

Below ground, a deep-sleeping bulb helps the plant survive harsh winters, storing energy until spring's warmth returns.

Measurements & details

Height: 10-25 cm
Spread: 5-10 cm
Flower Size: 2-4 cm
Bloom Season: Early spring
Edible: Yes
Toxicity: Mild
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

Pollinates

Common Eastern Bumble Bee

Bombus impatiens

visits flowers for nectar

Symbiotic with

Eastern Mound Ant

Formica subsericea

disperses seeds for food

Eats

White-tailed Deer

Odocoileus virginianus

browses leaves and flowers

Traits

Spotted

Marked with spots or patches of a different color.

Deciduous

Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Spring Blooming

Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Forest

Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Plants

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't pick flowers, so everyone can enjoy them!

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify dimpled trout lily?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How tall is dimpled trout lily?

10-25 cm

How wide does dimpled trout lily spread?

5-10 cm

How big are the flowers on dimpled trout lily?

2-4 cm

When does dimpled trout lily bloom?

Early spring

Is dimpled trout lily edible?

Yes

Is dimpled trout lily toxic?

Mild