Trout-lily Care

Erythronium americanum, commonly called yellow adder’s tongue, yellow trout lily, yellow fawn lily and yellow dog-tooth violet, is a Missouri native spring wildflower that occurs in moist woods, on wooded slopes and bluffs, and along streams.

Erythronium americanum has a single, nodding, bell- or lily-shaped yellow flower blooms atop a naked scape sheathed by two glossy, tongue-shaped, tulip-like, basal leaves (to 6” long) in early spring. Genus name comes from the Greek word erythronion from erythros meaning red, originally the name for another plant. Plants may be grown from seed, but will not flower for 4-5 years. Quicker and better results are obtained from planting corms which are sold by many bulb suppliers and nurseries. Naturalize in moist soils in shaded areas of native plant gardens, shade gardens, woodland gardens or wild/naturalized areas. Also grows well in pond or stream banks or in shady areas of rock gardens.