Erythronium albidum

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Erythronium albidum
Erythronium albidum smith creek.jpg
Status TNC G5.svg
Secure  (NatureServe) [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Liliales
Family: Liliaceae
Subfamily: Lilioideae
Tribe: Lilieae
Genus: Erythronium
Species:
E. albidum
Binomial name
Erythronium albidum
L.
ERAL9 range.png
Synonyms [2]

Erythronium albidum var. coloratumSterns

Erythronium albidum, the white fawnlily or white trout lily, is a small herbaceous geophyte in the lily family. [2] [3] [4] [5] It is also known as adder's tongue, whitedog's-tooth violet, serpent's tongue, trout lily, deer tongue, creeklily and yellow snowdrop. Large numbers of this plant indicate that the woodland has never been subjected to heavy machinery, where it would be unable to grow due to soil compaction. [6]

Contents

Description

Morphology

The white fawnlily often forms extensive colonies in which immature, non-flowering, 1-leaved plants far outnumber flowering, 2-leaved ones. [4] Flowering 2-leaved plants produce a short, slender, red stem 10–15 cm (4–6 in) tall, which bear two oblong basal leaves. The leaves are lanceolate, 8–16 cm (3+1⁄4–6+1⁄4 in) long and 3–4 cm (1+1⁄4–1+1⁄2 in) broad, dark green and covered with a mottled pattern of purple blotches. It is difficult to distinguish between Erythronium albidum and Erythronium americanum based solely on leaves. [7] The root system consists of a central corm that sends out stolons which allows plants to slowly spread to form large colonies. The corms of this lily supposedly resemble dog teeth. [8] Foliage of this plant withers away during the summer. [6]

At the end of the stem, the plant produces a white, lily-like flower 3–4 cm (1+1⁄4–1+1⁄2 in) in diameter, with six white tepals (3 petals and 3 petal-like sepals) and six yellow stamens. The backs of the tepals are often violet in color near to where the attach to the stem. [7] The flowers are bent downward, and elongate with age. At night the flowers close and don't reopen until morning. [7] Flowers bloom in mid to late spring. [4] The fruiting body is a ovular three chambered capsule and can reach up to 2.5 cm (1 in) in length. [6]

Distribution and habitat

Native to eastern North America, the white fawnlily can be found from southern Quebec and southern Manitoba, and south to Georgia and Texas. [9] The plant is mostly found in large groups on the forest floor, often in areas following ground disturbance. Its preferred growing conditions are in part sun to mostly shade and deep, moist loamy soils. [4]

Cultivation

Erythronium albidum does well in humusy, moist, acidic soils, with full to partial shade and can be grown in zones 3 to 8. [8] Corms can often be obtained from garden centers and nurseries. Plants can also be grown from seed, but will not flower for 4-5 years. Corms should be planted in the fall 2-3” deep and 4-5” apart. Fawnlilies do not transplant well and should be left alone in the wild. [8]

Folklore and uses

E. albidum flower Erythronium albidum (13783759094).jpg
E. albidum flower

European settlers considered it to have similar properties to meadow saffron ( Colchicum autumnale ), and white fawnlily was often used as a substitute for it. The plant was listed in the Pharmacopoeia of the United States from 1820 to 1863 as a treatment for gout.

Some believe that wounds will be healed if the plant is soaked in cold water, then removed and wrapped it in cloth and applied to a wound or bruise. It is left there until the bundle is warm, and then removed and buried in a muddy place.

Little is known of the constituents, because little research has been done. It is known to contain alpha-methylenebutyrolactone. The plant is emetic, emollient, and antiscorbutic when fresh. It is nutritive when dry.

Certain groups of American Indians used it for its emetic and contraceptive properties. The Onondaga women used the leaves as a temporary birth control method in the spring, to avoid giving birth in the most frigid part of winter.

The leaves can be collected anytime, but the bulb enlarges throughout the summer and can be divided in the fall. At that time of year, the bulb is also edible. The fresh leaves are mostly used in the form of a stimulating poultice, applied to swellings, tumors and scrofulous ulcers.

When made into a tea with horsetail ( Equisetum hyemale ), it is claimed to be good for bleeding or ulcers of bowels, or for tumors and inflammation of the bowels. It has been used as a quick relief for nose bleeds and sore eyes. The fresh roots or leaves are simmered in milk; or the juice of the plant infused in apple cider; and these treatments are used for dropsy, hiccups, vomiting and bleeding of the bowels. Misuse may cause nausea or even vomiting.

Related Research Articles

<i>Erythronium</i> Genus of flowering plants

Erythronium, the fawn lily, trout lily, dog's-tooth violet or adder's tongue, is a genus of Eurasian and North American plants in the lily family, most closely related to tulips. The name Erythronium derives from Ancient Greek ἐρυθρός (eruthrós) "red" in Greek, referring to the red flowers of E. dens-canis. Of all the established species, most live in North America; only six species are found in Europe and Asia.

<i>Dasylirion wheeleri</i> Species of flowering plant

Dasylirion wheeleri is a species of flowering plant in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae), native to arid environments of northern Mexico and the southwestern United States.

<i>Maianthemum canadense</i> Species of flowering plant

Maianthemum canadense is an understory perennial flowering plant, native to Canada and the northeastern United States, from Yukon and British Columbia east to Newfoundland, into St. Pierre and Miquelon. It can be found growing in both coniferous and deciduous forests. The plant appears in two forms, either as a single leaf rising from the ground with no fruiting structures or as a flowering/fruiting stem with two to three leaves. Flowering shoots have clusters of 12–25 starry-shaped, white flowers held above the leaves.

<i>Erythronium propullans</i> Species of flowering plant

Erythronium propullans, the Minnesota dwarf trout lily, Minnesota adder's tongue or Minnesota fawnlily, is a rare plant endemic to the Cannon River and North Fork Zumbro River watersheds in Rice County, Goodhue County and the extreme northern edge of Steele County, Minnesota, in the United States. The plants are believed to be a mutation or sport of the white trout lily and evolved following the most recent ice age. It was listed as an endangered species of the United States under the Endangered Species Act in 1986.

<i>Erythronium americanum</i> Species of flowering plant

Erythronium americanum, the trout lily, yellow trout lily, fawn lily, yellow adder's-tongue, or yellow dogtooth violet, is a species of perennial, colony forming, spring ephemeral flower native to North America and dwelling in woodland habitats. Within its range it is a very common and widespread species, especially in eastern North America. The common name "trout lily" refers to the appearance of its gray-green leaves mottled with brown or gray, which allegedly resemble the coloring of brook trout.

<i>Erythronium revolutum</i> Species of flowering plant

Erythronium revolutum is a species of flowering plant in the family Liliaceae which is known by several common names, including mahogany fawn lily, coast fawn lily, and pink fawn lily. It is native to the west coast of North America.

<i>Erythronium citrinum</i> Species of flowering plant

Erythronium citrinum, also known as citrus fawn lily or cream fawn lily, is a member of the lily family that is endemic to the Klamath Mountains. It is found in southwest Oregon and adjacent northwest California. The genus Erythronium, which can be found across northern North America, Europe and Asia, is most diverse in California, which is home to fifteen of about twenty-eight members of the genus.

<i>Erythronium grandiflorum</i> Species of flowering plant

Erythronium grandiflorum is a North American species of plants in the lily family. It is known by several common names, including yellow avalanche lily, glacier lily, and dogtooth fawn lily. The Ktunaxa name for glacier lily is maxa.

<i>Erythronium helenae</i> Species of flowering plant

Erythronium helenae is a species of flowering plant in the lily family which is known by the common names Pacific fawn lily and St. Helena fawn lily. It is endemic to the coastal mountains north of the San Francisco Bay Area in California. It is named for the local peak Mount Saint Helena, forming the point where Napa, Sonoma and Lake Counties meet. It grows on the slopes of the mountain at elevations of 500–1200 m, often on serpentine soils.

<i>Erythronium oregonum</i> Species of flowering plant

Erythronium oregonum is a North American species of flowering plant in the lily family which is known by the common name giant white fawnlily or Oregon fawn-lily.

Erythronium pluriflorum is a rare species of flowering plant in the lily family Liliaceae which is known by the common names manyflower fawn lily,golden fawn-lily, and Shuteye Peak fawn lily.

<i>Erythronium purpurascens</i> Species of flowering plant

Erythronium purpurascens is a species of flowering plant in the lily family which is known by the common names purple fawn lily and Sierra Nevada fawn lily.

<i>Triteleia grandiflora</i> Species of flowering plant

Triteleia grandiflora is a species of flowering plant known by the common names largeflower triteleia, largeflower tripletlily, and wild hyacinth.

<i>Triteleia peduncularis</i> Species of flowering plant

Triteleia peduncularis is a monocot flowering plant in the genus Triteleia. Its common names include long-ray brodiaea and longray triteleia. It is endemic to California, where it occurs in the coastal and inland mountain ranges of the northern and central sections of the state. It grows in vernally moist habitat such as meadows, grassland, and vernal pools, often in areas with serpentine soils. It is a perennial wildflower growing from a corm. There are two or three basal leaves measuring up to 40 cm (16 in) long and 1.5 cm (0.6 in) wide. The inflorescence arises on a smooth, erect stem up to 80 cm (31 in) tall. It is an umbel-like cluster of several flowers which are borne on very long, straight pedicels measuring up to 18 cm (7.1 in) long. Each funnel-shaped flower is white, often tinged purple, with six tepals up to 1.6 cm (0.6 in) in length. There are six stamens with white anthers, and the ovary at the center is yellow when the flower is young.

<i>Erythronium taylorii</i> Species of flowering plant

Erythronium taylorii is a rare species of flowering plant in the lily family known by the common names Pilot Ridge fawn lily, Taylor's fawnlily, and Yosemite fawn lily. It is endemic to Tuolumne County, California, where it is known only from Pilot Ridge, a remote mountain ridge outside of Yosemite National Park. It was discovered in 1996 and described to science as E. taylori in 1997, and it is now called E. taylorii. There are at least 1000 individuals in the single known population. It occurs on shaded north-facing cliffs.

Erythronium elegans is a rare species of flowering plant in the lily family known by the common names Coast Range fawnlily and elegant fawnlily. It is endemic to Oregon in the United States, where it is known from about 12 occurrences in the northern Coast Range.

<i>Lilium concolor</i> Species of lily

Lilium concolor is a species of flowering plant in the lily family which occurs naturally in China, Japan, Korea and Russia. Its relationship with other species is not clear, although it has some similarities to Lilium pumilum.

<i>Erythronium umbilicatum</i> Species of flowering plant

Erythronium umbilicatum, the dimpled trout lily, is a species of flowering plant in the lily family. It is native to the Southeastern United States, primarily in the Piedmont and Southern Appalachian areas. It is reported from West Virginia, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

<i>Erythronium mesochoreum</i> Species of flowering plant

Erythronium mesochoreum, the prairie fawn lily or midland fawnlily, is a plant species in the lily family, native to the US states of Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas.

<i>Erythronium rostratum</i> Species of flowering plant

Erythronium rostratum, the yellow trout lily, yellow fawnlily, beaked trout lily, or golden-star, is a plant species native to the south-central part of the United States.

References

  1. ↑ "Erythronium albidum". NatureServe Explorer. NatureServe. Retrieved 2018-04-13.
  2. 1 2 "Erythronium albidum". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  3. ↑ Nuttall, Thomas (1818). Genera of North American Plants. Vol. 1. pp.  223–224.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Allen, Geraldine A.; Robertson, Kenneth R. (2002). "Erythronium albidum". In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (ed.). Flora of North America North of Mexico (FNA). Vol. 26. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
  5. ↑ Clennett, C. (2014). The genus Erythronium. Kew Publishing.
  6. 1 2 3 "White Trout Lily (Erythronium albidum)". www.illinoiswildflowers.info. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  7. 1 2 3 "Erythronium albidum (White Trout Lily): Minnesota Wildflowers". www.minnesotawildflowers.info. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  8. 1 2 3 "Erythronium albidum - Plant Finder". www.missouribotanicalgarden.org. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  9. ↑ "Erythronium albidum". County-level distribution map from the North American Plant Atlas (NAPA). Biota of North America Program (BONAP). 2014.
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