Yellow Trout Lily
Erythronium americanum
Yellow Trout Lily is a charming spring ephemeral with nodding yellow flowers and mottled leaves resembling trout markings. It blooms before the forest canopy leafs out, creating carpets of color in early spring woodlands.
Liliaceae (Lily family)
Early to mid-spring (April-May, varies by region)
Symbolism & Meanings
Key Meanings
Perfect For
Color Meanings
Similar flowers: great white trilliums and checkered lilys also share similar meanings.
Cultural Significance
As a spring ephemeral, Yellow Trout Lily symbolizes the brief but brilliant awakening of the forest floor. Its mottled leaves inspired multiple common names: "trout lily" from resemblance to trout markings, "dogtooth violet" from the tooth-like corm shape, "fawn lily" from spotted leaves like a young fawn, and "adder's tongue" from the tongue-like shoot. Colonies can be centuries old (up to 300 years), spreading slowly underground through an intricate system of corms and droppers.Shop Our Floral Collection
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Physical Characteristics
Natural Habitat
Growing Guide
Sunlight
Part shade to full shade; blooms in spring sun before tree canopy leafs out, then tolerates deep summer shade
Water
Prefers consistently moist soil, especially during spring growth; needs moisture even when dormant in summer
Soil
Moist, Rich, Humus-rich, Well-drained, Acidic (pH 5.5-6.5)
Expert Growing Tips
Plant corms 3-4 inches deep in fall or early spring
Allow spring sun but ensure summer shade from deciduous trees
Keep soil moist year-round, even when plants are dormant
Add leaf mulch to maintain moisture and enrich soil
Slow to establish; may take 4-7 years to flower from seed
Forms colonies slowly through offsets (droppers)
Do not remove leaves; they feed the corm for next year
Mark locations in spring as plants disappear by late spring/early summer
Uses & Benefits
Ornamental Uses
- Woodland and shade gardens
- Naturalized areas under deciduous trees
- Spring ephemeral displays
- Ground cover in shady areas
- Rock gardens
- Native plant gardens
Traditional Uses
- Historically used by Native Americans, particularly Cherokee, for medicinal purposes
- Leaves used as a poultice for wounds (caution: raw leaves can cause vomiting)
- Some Native American groups used it as a contraceptive (not scientifically confirmed)
Disclaimer: Information provided is for educational purposes only. Consult healthcare professionals before using any plant medicinally.
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions about the Yellow Trout Lily
Why is it called Yellow Trout Lily?
Yellow Trout Lily gets its name from the mottled brown and purple markings on its leaves, which resemble the markings on a brown or brook trout. The flowers also appear during trout fishing season in early spring.
Is Yellow Trout Lily the same as Dogtooth Violet?
Yes, Yellow Trout Lily and Dogtooth Violet are the same plant (Erythronium americanum). Despite the name "violet," it is actually a member of the lily family, not the violet family. The name refers to the tooth-like shape of the corm.
Why does my Trout Lily have leaves but no flowers?
Young Trout Lily plants produce only one leaf and do not flower. Only mature plants produce two leaves and flowers. Colonies often have many non-flowering plants with single leaves alongside the flowering plants with two leaves.
How long do Trout Lily flowers last?
Individual Yellow Trout Lily flowers bloom for about two weeks in early spring. The entire plant is ephemeral, disappearing by late spring or early summer after storing energy in its corm for the next year.
Available Colors
Quick Facts
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