Yellow trout lily (Erythronium americanum) is a spring-flowering plant found in woodland areas throughout North America. The common name yellow trout lily was given to this plant because its leaves coloration resembles a species of trout.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Erythronium americanum, the trout lily, yellow trout lily, fawn lily, yellow adder’s-tongue, or yellow dogtooth violet, is a species of perennial, colony forming, spring ephemeral flower native to North America and dwelling in woodland habitats. Within its range it is a very common and widespread species, especially in eastern North America. The common name “trout lily” refers to the appearance of its gray-green leaves mottled with brown or gray, which allegedly resemble the coloring of brook trout.
The range is from Labrador south to Georgia, west to Mississippi, and north to Minnesota.
- Flowers
A yellow trout lily produces an erect flower stalk with a nodding, bisexual flower with 6 recurved, yellow, lanceolate tepals. The 20 to 33 mm long tepals are composed of 3 petals and 3 petal-like sepals. E. americanum does not flower for the first 4 to 7 years of its life. In any given colony, only 0.5% will have flowers.
Trout lilies bloom in early spring before the trees growing above them develop leaves. Blooming at this time allows them unobstructed access to sunlight and time to grow when soil nutrient levels are high. The flowers close at night.
- Leaves
Non-flowering plants grow a single leaf whereas flowering plants grow 2 basal leaves. The 8 to 23 centimeters long yellow trout lily leaves grow in the spring and range from elliptic to lanceolate leaves, the leaves may be mottled with gray to purple and have entire leaf margins.
- Fruit and sexual reproduction
Erythronium americanum does not reproduce very effectively via sexual reproduction with only 10% of pollinated flowers developing seeds. The fruit is a 12 to 15 mm long capsule that is held off the ground by the flower stalk. E. americanum is a myrmecochorous plant, meaning that ants help disperse the seeds and reduce seed predation. To make the seeds more appealing to ants they have an elaiosome which is a structure that attracts ants.
- Corm and asexual reproduction
A trout lily grows from a 15 to 28 mm oval underground corm. The corm is often located in the upper 11 cm of soil although it may be as deep as 30 cm. The corms of E. americanum are buried very deeply compared to other lily family plants. The corms are mostly composed of storage tissue containing large amounts of energy rich starch. The corm is covered by a papery husk which is the remains of the previous year’s stalk.
Trout lilies grow in colonies, some of which have been dated to be up to 300 years old. The individuals within a colony will often reproduce asexually via a “dropper” or from small bulbs budding off of the main corm. A dropper is a tubular fleshy stem that grows out from a parent corm, up toward the surface and then penetrates deep into the soil where another corm is formed from the tip of the dropper. The stem connecting the daughter and parent corm then dies.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Erythronium americanum thrive in part shade and dappled shade. The best place to grow is an east-facing location with morning sun. In its native habitat, the plant grows underneath deciduous trees such as oaks and maples. In the early spring, before the trees have leaved out, this setting provides ample sunlight, which the plants need to thrive and bloom. Later, during the summer, there should be dappled shade to protect the plant from the hot midday and afternoon sun.
Temperature and Humidity
Yellow trout lily is hardy in zones 3 to 8, easily surviving temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Native to forests and damp meadows, this plant handles humid conditions but will not tolerate extreme dry heat.
Watering
Yellow trout lily require regular water throughout their growing period, about one inch of water per week from rain or irrigation in spring. Deep watering every week is better as compared to light water every two days. The plants need moist soil, even when dormant, do let the soil dry out completly. Once the plants enter dormancy, cover it with topsoil. Divide these plants after four years to maintain their freshness.
Soil
Erythronium americanum are used as ground cover, and in rock gardens, woodland gardens, wildflower meadows, beds and borders, and cottage gardens. These plants also grow well along streams and ponds. They prefers well-draining, moist, slightly acidic and humus-rich soil. The plants grow well in loam, sand, clay, and chalk soils. It is best to maintain the moisture level of this plant even when they are dormant.
Fertilizing
Erythronium americanum does not need extra fertilizer. Instead, plant the plant in rich soil and add more organic matter each spring before the new growth starts.
Pruning
Once these plants have completed their blooming period, avoid cutting off the foliage. It gathers sunlight and creates food using the photosynthesis process, which helps in strengthening the bulbs for new growth. Keep the plant under a part shade, and cut the spent flowers off after the bloom season.
Propagation
Trout lily is very finicky to grow from seed, so it’s best propagated by division of the offset corms. After several years, when the plants have grown into leafy clumps, it’s time to divide them. Here’s how:
- In spring, mark the location of the plants, so you know where to dig the corms in the late summer.
- In late summer, dig up the plants and carefully divide the offset corms from the parent corms.
- Replant the corms about 4 inches deep, and mulch them well.
How to Grow from Seed
It can take as much as five or six years to produce mature flowering plants when propagating yellow trout lily from seeds, so it’s rarely done except by developers seeking hybrids or by very serious amateurs looking to experiment. However, if you have sufficient space to develop a colony of yellow trout lilies, then you can direct sow seeds just as the seed capsules split in summer. Sow seeds immediately, as the seeds lose viability quickly.
In the initial season, no seedlings will be evident, but the following spring you will likely see the grass-like seedlings appear. But it will be at least two years before the plants are recognizable, and an additional two or three years until the plants blossom.
Potting and Repotting
This plant is best suited to colonizing in semi-shady woodland and meadow gardens. It is a spring ephemeral that does not lend itself well to container culture.
How to Get to Bloom
This plant typically produces a single drooping flower per stalk, with a bloom period that lasts about two weeks. The exact window for blooming varies depending on region, but usually falls somewhere between March and May. Not every plant will produce flower stalks in any given year.
A colony of yellow trout lilies will generally bloom reliably if planted in humus-rich soil in a partly shady location, but the plants do not respond well to dry soils or too much sun. If flowering is sporadic but the plant colony produces abundant foliage, it may be time to divide the plants to produce better flowering.
Pests and Diseases
Yellow trout lily are mostly trouble-free and rarely experience severe disease or pest problems. The biggest concern for these plants is a soil mixture with a poor drainage system as this often results in root rotting and damaged bulbs.
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