Erythronium umbilicatum
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- er-ih-THROH-nee-um um-bil-ih-KAY-tum
- Description
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Dimpled Trout Lily is a native spring ephemeral found in moist bottomland or slope forests, or in rather dry upland habitats throughout NC and the southeastern U.S.A. Two fleshy mottled leaves appear in early spring with a single stem bearing one yellow lily-like flower. The plant then dies down by summer. It grows from a small white pointed bulb that multiplies and can form colonies. The bulbs are often deep and it is difficult to dig them up without damaging the plant.
Use this plant in a woodland setting with humus enriched moist soils in partial shade to shade. They will do well along a waterway as ponds or streams.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Erythronium
- Species:
- umbilicatum
- Family:
- Liliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern U.S.A.
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant attracts bees and ants.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 10 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 7 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Spring
- Fruit Description:
- The capsule is green maturing to yellow with an indented end from April to June. Seeds are spread by ants.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- A single, nodding, lily-like flower on 5-8 inch stalk with 6 petals, yellow on inside and streaked with brownish-purple on the outside, that recurve backward. Conspicuous brownish-purple stamens. Blooms from February to April.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Two green, fleshy, oval, basal leaves are 3-5 inches long and 2-3 inches wide. Mottled with irregular green, brown, purple splotches.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- 2-8 inch green flower stem
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Pond
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Rain Garden
- Shade Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
