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Erythronium umbilicatum

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
er-ih-THROH-nee-um um-bil-ih-KAY-tum
Description

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:
Tags:
#yellow flowers#native perennials#shade garden#NC native#food source spring#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#food source soft mast fruit#ants#bee friendly#Audubon#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#yellow flowers#native perennials#shade garden#NC native#food source spring#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#food source soft mast fruit#ants#bee friendly#Audubon#woodland
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    2-8 inch green flower stem
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Pond
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Rain Garden
    Shade Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees