Plant Names

image of Flowering plant
Erythronium albidum
White Trout Lily
Érythrone blanchâtre

Synonyms

small white fawn lily
white adder's-tongue
white dog's-tooth violet

Plant Characteristics

Bloom Colour: White Bloom Period: Apr - Apr
Max Height: 1.0 feet
Max Width: 0.5 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
Full shade Less than 2 or 3 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will come back year after year (Spring Ephemeral)
Gardener Experience:
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
plant spread by rhizome Spreads by rhizome
Landscape Uses:
container suitable Suitable for container garden
woodland garden Suitable for woodland gardens
Ecological Benefits:
bee host Bee host
Tolerates:
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
Rabbit Resistant Rabbit resistant
Juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
Special Features and Considerations:
causes skin rashes This plant causes skin rashes

Seed and plant distribution status

No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant

Fun Facts

White Trout Lily has mottled green leaves and nodding white flowers marked with yellow at the centre. It emerges early in spring, flowers briefly, and then disappears underground for the remainder of the growing season. It grows naturally in rich deciduous woods and floodplain forests. It prefers partial to full shade and moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil. It is a wonderful choice for a naturalistic woodland garden. It can take several years to establish from seed. It spreads slowly through underground bulbs and offsets. It is best left undisturbed once planted. You can plant it beneath deciduous trees where spring sunlight reaches the ground before the tree canopy fills in. Avoid hot, dry garden locations.

Plant Location

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Erythronium albidum
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Boreal Plains
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Erythronium albidum

No butterfly data available for this plant.

Specialized Bees Supported by Erythronium albidum

  • Andrena erythronii

Complementary Plants

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley)
  • Lysimachia nummularia (Creeping Jenny)
  • Iridaceae (Crocus)
  • Scilla siberica (Siberian Squill)
  • Tulipa (Tulips)
  • Funkia (Hosta)
  • Vinca major and Vinca minor (Periwinkle)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
  • Sow anytime
  • Stratification duration: 0 days
  • Notes: Double dormancy.

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: June
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Pods are brown and slightly open
  • Harvesting:
    • Open the pod, remove seeds
  • Seed viability test:
    • No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: Six (6) seeds (eyeball)
  • Seed storage:
    • Keep moist and cool, in a ziploc bag, in the fridge, with the seeds in soil, paper towel or coffee filter, until donation
  • Cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
  • Remove non-seed material
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

Not known to be toxic to cats or dogs if ingested. Bulbs and other plant parts should not be eaten. Consumption can cause gastrointestinal upset and may be harmful to pets and livestock.