Erythronium americanum
yellow dog's tooth violet
A bulbous perennial to around 15cm high, with solitary or paired elliptic, deep green leaves, mottled with grey and purple-brown. Solitary golden yellow flowers, sometimes flushed reddish-purple on the outsides and with recurved petals, are borne on slender reddish stems in spring. Slowly spreading, forming small colonies in good conditions. Plants may take several years to flower, and individual plants may not flower every year
Other common names
fish hookslamb's tongue
see moreserpent's tongue
snake leaf
snake root
spring lily
trout lily
yellow dog's tooth violet
yellow lily
yellow snowdrop
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0–0.1 metreGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Yellow | Green Grey Silver Purple | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Liliaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- Ornamental bulbs, not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Ornamental bulbs, not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
- Genus
Erythronium are bulbous perennials with paired, ovate or broadly elliptic leaves, and leafless stems bearing one or more nodding, star-shaped flowers with recurved petals
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- E North America
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in light or dappled shade, in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil that does not dry out in summer. Bulbs must be kept slightly damp until planted, and planted at least 10cm deep in late summer or early autumn. Well suited to woodland planting. See bulb cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by division of established clumps, after flowering. Plants dislike disturbance and may take time to re-establish
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Rock garden
- Low Maintenance
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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