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Erythronium montanum - A.Wats.

Common Name Avelanche Lily, White avalanche-lily
Family Liliaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards Although no records of toxicity have been seen for this species, the following notes have been seen for another member of this genus and so some caution is advised. Skin contact with the bulbs has been known to cause dermatitis in sensitive people[65].
Habitats Montane and subalpine meadows, open coniferous forests at elevations of 800 - 2000 metres[270].
Range Western N. America - Oregon to British Columbia.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade
Erythronium montanum Avelanche Lily, White avalanche-lily


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Wsiegmund
Erythronium montanum Avelanche Lily, White avalanche-lily
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Wsiegmund

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of bulb
Erythronium montanum is a BULB growing to 0.3 m (1ft).
It is not frost tender. It is in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen from June to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Lawn;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Bulb - raw, cooked or dried for later use[207]. An important food for the indigenous N. American Indians[207]. The narrowly ovoid bulbs are up to 6cm long[270].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers slightly acid soil conditions but succeeds in chalky soils if these contain plenty of humus[164]. Requires semi-shade, preferably provided by trees or shrubs, and a well-drained soil[42, 164]. Succeeds in almost any light soil, preferring one that is rich in humus[1]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[200]. This alpine species does not endure in lowland gardens[61]. Bulbs should be planted about 7cm deep[1].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a shady position in a cold frame. Water lightly in summer, it should germinate in autumn or winter[164, 200]. Stored seed requires a period of cold stratification[164]. Sow as early in spring as possible in a cold frame. Sow the seed thinly so that it will not be necessary to prick them out for their first year of growth. Give an occasional liquid feed to the seedlings to make sure that they do not become nutrient deficient. When the plants are dormant, pot up the small bulbs putting 2 - 3 bulbs in each pot. Grow them on in a shady position in the greenhouse for another 2 3 years and then plant them out into their permanent positions when they are dormant in late summer. Division of the bulbs in the summer as the leaves die down[1]. Larger bulbs can be replanted immediately into their permanent positions, but it is best to pot up smaller bulbs and grow them on in a shady position in a greenhouse for a year before planting them out when dormant in late summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

Coming Soon

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Erythronium albidumWhite Trout-Lily, White fawnlilyBulb0.1 4-8  LMSM30 
Erythronium albidum mesochoreumPrairie Trout LilyBulb0.1 4-8  LMSM30 
Erythronium americanumTrout Lily, Dogtooth violetBulb0.2 3-7  LMSM413
Erythronium californicumFawn Lily, California fawnlilyBulb0.3 0-0  LMSM20 
Erythronium citrinumPale Fawn Lily, Cream fawnlily, Roderick's fawnlilyBulb0.3 0-0  LMSM20 
Erythronium dens-canisDog's-Tooth VioletBulb0.2 3-7  LMSM30 
Erythronium grandiflorumAvalanche Lily, Yellow avalanche-lilyBulb0.2 4-8  LMSDM31 
Erythronium helenaeMt. St. Helena Fawm Lily, Pacific fawnlilyBulb0.3 4-8  LMSM20 
Erythronium hendersoniiHenderson's Fawn LilyBulb0.3 0-0  LMSM20 
Erythronium howelliiHowell's Fawn LilyBulb0.3 -  LMSM20 
Erythronium japonicumKatakuriBulb0.2 -  LMSM40 
Erythronium multiscapideumAdderstongueBulb0.3 -  LMSM20 
Erythronium oregonumGiant White FawnlilyBulb0.5 4-8  LMSM21 
Erythronium purpurascensAvelanche Lily, Purple fawnlilyBulb0.3 0-0  LMSM20 
Erythronium revolutumPink Fawn Lily, Mahogany fawnlilyBulb0.3 4-8  LMSM30 
Erythronium tuolumnenseTuolumne Fawn Lily, Dog's Tooth Violet, Pagoda LilyBulb0.3 4-9 MLMSM20 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

A.Wats.

Botanical References

60200270

Links / References

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