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Erythronium albidum mesochoreum - (Kuerr.)Ricket.

Common Name Prairie Trout Lily
Family Liliaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
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 Woods, thickets and meadows[43, 90]. Prairies and dry woods in Texas[274].
Range N. America - Iowa and Nebraska to Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade
Erythronium albidum mesochoreum Prairie Trout Lily


Erythronium albidum mesochoreum Prairie Trout Lily

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of bulb
Erythronium albidum mesochoreum is a BULB growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from March to April, and the seeds ripen from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
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

E. mesochoreum. Kuerr.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Bulb - raw or cooked[105, 161]. Rather small, it is about 20mm long[235]. The bulbs are eaten avidly by children[257]. Young leaves - raw or cooked. Crisp, tasty, tender and mild when eaten raw[183]. Eating the leaves will greatly reduce the vigour of the bulb, so can only be recommended in times of emergency[K].

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[164]. Succeeds in almost any light soil, preferring one that is rich in humus[1]. This species is unsatisfactory in cultivation outdoors in Britain. It comes into growth early in the year and the flowers probably need more heat than our typical spring provides if they are to open properly[90]. Because stolons are absent in Erythronium mesochoreum, most plants in a population produce flowers; nonflowering plants may sometimes appear after flowering plants have flowered[270]. Flowers are produced in 3 - 4 years from seed[164]. This species does not produce offsets[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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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 in summer as the leaves die down. This species does not produce offsets[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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 :

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Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Erythronium albidumWhite Trout-Lily, White fawnlilyBulb0.1 4-8  LMSM30 
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Erythronium montanumAvelanche Lily, White avalanche-lilyBulb0.3 0-0  LMSM20 
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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.

 

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Author

(Kuerr.)Ricket.

Botanical References

43200270

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