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Erythronium grandiflorum
Erythronium grandiflorum Pursh
Yellow Avalanche-lily, Yellow Fawn-lily, Yellow Dogtooth Violet, Glacier Lily
Liliaceae (Lily Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: ERGR9
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Two to three mottled, fleshy, elliptic, basal leaves, to 14 in. long, surround the one- to several-flowered 6-18 in. flower stalks. 1-5 pale to golden yellow flowers hang at end of a stalk that grows from between 2 broadly lanceolate basal leaves. One to five graceful, nodding, bell-shaped flowers are bright yellow. The sepals and petals are bent back fully, revealing the large, white stigma and yellow, red or white anthers. Yellow avlanche-lily, a perennial, often occurs in large patches.
This species often blooms as snow recedes. A form with white or cream petal-like segments with a band of golden yellow at the base grows in southeastern Washington and adjacent Idaho. A second species with bright yellow flowers. Mother Lode Fawn Lily (E. tuolumnense), grows in woodland at low elevations on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada in central California.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 18 inches tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , YellowBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: CA , CO , ID , MT , NM , OR , UT , WA , WYCanada: AB
Native Distribution: N. CA to CO, n. to s. B.C. & Alt.
Native Habitat: Open woods; meadow edges; various altitudes
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part ShadeSoil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist soils.
Conditions Comments: This species is not easily maintained west of the Cascades. Plants from lowland stock are more easily established, and will often self-seed. Corms need protection from gophers. Var. candidum, occuring from e. WA to w. MT, has white flowers.
Propagation
Description: Propagate using offsets or seed. Plant seeds 1/4 in. deep. A single leaf will appear the first spring. Keep the developing plant shaded and moist and, if necessary, transplant the corms to permanent locations in the fall. Seedlings take at least threeSeed Collection: The oval, three-sided capsule matures two months after flowering.
Seed Treatment: Stratify seed at 40 degrees for 3-4 months if not sown immediately.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACU | FACU |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
From the Archive
Wildflower Newsletter 1995 VOL. 12, NO.5 - Water Recycling Utilizing Architecture at the Wildflower Center, Education Direc...Additional resources
USDA: Find Erythronium grandiflorum in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Erythronium grandiflorum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Erythronium grandiflorum
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-09Research By: TWC Staff