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Glacier Lily

Erythronium grandiflorum

The Glacier Lily is a bright yellow flower that blooms in the spring. It grows in cool, mountainous areas and is a favorite for butterflies and bees!

Habitat: Mountain regions

Appearance

The Glacier Lily has vibrant yellow, nodding flowers with gracefully recurved petals, often appearing in clusters. Its lance-shaped leaves are typically green, sometimes mottled with brownish-purple, making it stand out against the melting snow.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderLilialesFamilyLiliaceaeGenusErythronium
Glacier Lily
bell_shaped_flower trait badgespring_blooming trait badgecold_hardy trait badgeedible trait badge
Glacier Lily

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Each seed has a tasty treat for ants, convincing them to carry it far away!

Glacier Lily flowers actually tilt their heads to follow the sun's path all day long!

Its leaves and flowers burst forth so quickly, they can melt tunnels through fresh snow!

The underground bulb, sometimes called a "dogtooth," stores energy for years!

Special abilities

Ability

Snow Sprint

Glacier Lily can burst into bloom immediately after snowmelt, thanks to energy stored in its bulb, letting it grab sunlight before trees leaf out.

Ability

Ant Allies

Glacier Lily has tiny fatty attachments on its seeds that ants love, prompting them to carry and disperse the seeds to new spots.

Ability

Sun Seeker

Glacier Lily's flowers track the sun across the sky during the day, maximizing warmth and pollination opportunities.

Measurements & details

Height
15-40 cm
Flower Size
3-5 cm
Bloom Season
Early spring to early summer
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Western Bumblebee

Bombus occidentalis

collects nectar and pollen

eats

Silky Ant

Formica fusca

eats elaiosomes, disperses seeds

eats

American Black Bear

Ursus americanus

digs up and consumes bulbs

eats

Yellow-bellied Marmot

Marmota flaviventris

grazes on leaves and bulbs

eats

Mule Deer

Odocoileus hemionus

browses on the plant's foliage

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't pick flowers in nature; they help the environment!

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Glacier Lily?

15-40 cm

How big are the flowers on Glacier Lily?

3-5 cm

When does Glacier Lily bloom?

Early spring to early summer

Is Glacier Lily edible?

Yes

Is Glacier Lily toxic?

None

What is Glacier Lily's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is Glacier Lily pollinated?

Insect

Where is Glacier Lily usually found?

Mountain regions

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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