Yellow Adder's Tongue Erythronium americanum
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- er-ih-THROH-nee-um a-mer-ih-KAY-num
- Description
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This perennial wildflower that is a corm is an early spring bloomer that goes dormant in late spring. It prefers moist, humusy soils and can grow in a variety of garden areas supporting a more acid soil. The bloom grows on a stalk, with one or more leaves at its base. Young plants often have only one leaf. A shade or partial shade garden, with available moisture and rich soil, would be a good location. It can also grow in rich woods or bottomlands.
The common names of this plant refer to the flower or leaf appearance at different phases of its growth cycle. As one example, the Trout lily name refers to its leaf mottling resembling a trout moving through water and the general shape of the petals.
This plant and its relatives in the genus Erythronium support the Andrena miner bee family, present across the U.S., that is important to the pollination of woodland and garden bulbs, berries, and flowering trees and shrubs. The scientific name of this miner bee that is attracted to this lily family is Andrena (Leucandrena) erythronii.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Erythronium
- Species:
- americanum
- Family:
- Liliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern Canada to North Central & Eastern U.S.A
- Wildlife Value:
- Members of the genus Erythronium support the following specialized bee: Andrena (Leucandrena) erythronii.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- insect pests, diseases, shade
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Wildflower
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4b, 4a, 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- A capsule that splits to release two or more seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The yellow 1.5 in. bell-shaped flower on a stalk has six petals/ perianth parts that may curve backward at the tip and are often tinged with purple on the back.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- This plant has a pair of elliptic leaves 4-6 in. long. The leaves are pale green and mottled with purplish-brown.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Riparian
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Diseases
- Insect Pests