#TROUT LILY SKIN#

In order to produce flowers the following year, the bulbs require food created when energy is absorbed by the leaves. Usually, one deep watering per week is plenty.ĭon’t be tempted to remove foliage after dogtooth trout lily stops blooming. Water dogtooth trout lily as needed throughout the growing season, then decrease water after blooming. The bulbs will develop roots in the fall. Water well to settle the soil around the bulbs. To plant dogtooth violet bulbs, loosen the soil with a garden fork or spade, then plant the small bulbs, pointy end up, about 5 inches (13 cm.) apart, with approximately 2 inches (5 cm.) between each bulb. Water thoroughly after planting, soaking the soil to settle it around the bulbs. Dig holes and tuck the bulbs into loosened soil about 5' deep and 2' apart, with the pointed end facing upwards.

Although dogwood trout lily prefers moist soil, it benefits from drier soil during its dormant period in summer and fall. Find a spot with good light where the soil is evenly moist during the early part of the year when these plants are actively growing. Dogtooth trout lily performs well in a location in dappled sunlight or light shade, such as a spot under a deciduous tree. There isn’t much effort needed when growing dogtooth violets in the woodland garden. Mature height of a dogtooth violet plant is 6 to 12 inches (15-31 cm.). The plant is named for the small underground bulb, which resembles a dog’s pointed canine tooth. Each flower is accompanied by two bright green leaves marked with reddish brown, trout-like spots. The flowers, which bloom in early spring, open in morning and close in evening. What Does a Dogtooth Violet Look Like?ĭogtooth violet isn’t a violet and the drooping, lily-like blooms are actually white with a subtle, violet tint. Once the plant is established in your garden, it is easily propagated by digging and replanting the offsets in late summer. If you’re thinking about growing dogtooth violets in your garden, look for the bulbs or plants at nurseries that specialize in native plants. Removing wildflowers from their natural setting isn’t beneficial to the environment and usually isn’t successful. The nectar-rich little blooms are highly attractive to a variety of native bees. It is commonly found across much of the eastern United States. In doing so, seeds are protected from predation and colonies are able to expand across larger areas.įigure 1: Range map of Trout Lily in North America ( ).Dogtooth violet trout lily ( Erythronium albidum) is a perennial wildflower that grows in woodlands and mountain meadows. The plant produces a tasty, lipid-rich seed appendage for the ants in exchange for the ants’ seed dispersal services. crushed leaf juice for wounds that are not healingįun Fact: The Trout Lily has a symbiotic relationship with ants, also known as myrmecochory.

poultices for swelling, tumors, scrofulous ulcers, and removing splinters.

In the home garden, colonies and clumps will develop if plants are left undisturbed. In the wild, plants grow in colonies formed from underground runners. yellow trout lily, erythronium americanum, western michigan, usa. Traditionally, Trout Lily has been used for a variety of medicinal purposes, such as: Erythronium americanum (Trout Lily) is a common sight in the woodlands of eastern North America, but its a beautiful early spring garden plant, as well. vomit inducing), so caution is recommended. It’s other names, “Dogtooth Violet” and “Adder’s Tongue”, are inspired by the dogtooth-shaped bulb on the end of its roots and the resemblance of its stamens to that of a reptiles’ tongue, such as the Adder snake.Īll parts of the plant are technically edible but are considered to be emetic (i.e. The leaves are stiff and waxy and can grow up to 20 cm in length.

#TROUT LILY SKIN#

The name “Trout Lily” comes from the appearance of its leaves, which look very much like the mottled skin of a Brown or Brook Trout. Photo Credits: Daria Koscinski (left) & Dave Wake (right) The flowers are bright yellow with six petals that pull back to reveal six brown stamens. Young plants are flowerless and produce only one mottled leaf, whereas older plants produce one nodding flower and two mottled leaves. They are one of the first plants to bloom in the spring, but quickly produce seeds and die out by early summer. It is a colony plant, meaning you are likely to find a large amount of them growing together in a single area. It prefers the partial shade and moist floors of woodlands and forests. The Trout Lily is a native perennial plant found throughout eastern North America (Figure 1). Name: Trout Lily ( Erythronium americanum)Īlso Known As: Adder’s Tongue and Dogtooth Violet

Trout lily