The Trout Lily: An Early Splash of Color for the Yard

The Trout Lily offers homeowners and gardeners an early taste of spring. The yellow blossom opens as early as the fabled crocus and promising daffodil. The Trout Lily, however, grows in colonies and are known for their unusual green leaves speckled with trout-like brown spots.

Officially known as Erythronium americanum, the plant is a native species of many woodlands of eastern North America. Yellow is the most common blossom found, although there are species which bloom in shades of red and white.

They often bloom at the same time the wild leeks are ready to be dug in the spring and somewhat earlier than the trilliums and the Jack in the Pulpits.

The low growing plants are short-lived once they bloom, and usually by June, have disappeared until the following spring. They form colonies but are not invasive by any stretch of the imagination. It can take a young plant, identified by it's single leaf, upwards of seven years to bloom. It is believed that some colonies can be as old as 200 to 300 years old.

The plants spread slowly by their underground root system, although the flower blossom will produce about four seeds.

The trout lily is also known by several other names: Adder's tongue and Dogtooth violet. The colonies thrive in shady woodlands known for loamy, rich soil, and moist conditions. They are a good spring flower to consider for shady and moist areas of the yard which can replicate deciduous woodland conditions.

The attractive plants require little maintenance, are winter hardy and disappear as summer approaches. During this time, the small underground bulb at the very base of the plant, called the corm begins to store energy for the next arrival of spring.

Both plants and seeds can be purchased from various sources online and at some garden centers or nurseries. The trout lily prefers some spring sunshine and then summer shade' it thrives in soils which are slightly acidic.

It is a good idea, however, to check to be sure the the small bulbs (corms), seeds or plants were obtained legitimately and not taken improperly from woodland areas. If corms are purchased be sure to plant them as soon as possible. They tend to mold in storage.

Medicinally, the plants are believed by some herbalists to have medicinal properties. However, as with any medicinal practice, it is best to research and seek expert advice before using. The trout lily can induce vomiting. There are some researchers investigating some of the plants properties in cancer research.

In some traditions they trout lily is edible and both the corm, flowers and leaves are chopped and used as a salad additive. A tea can also brewed from the plant. In folklore, there is a tradition which believes many Native Peoples threw the leaves and flowers into creeks and lakes to make the fish bite.

The trout lily is a good choice for home landscaping because of it's gentle growing habit. It is an attractive early spring, North American native plant which mixes well with many other spring flowering plants and requires minimal care as long as the proper environmental conditions, similar to a woodland, are present.

When the trout lily blooms, it is a sure sign winter has lost it's grip and spring has finally arrived.