Adder's Tongue

Erythronium americanum (er-ih-THROH-nee-um a-mer-ih-KAY-num)

Family: Liliaceae Native Groundcover (<1 ft)

This perennial wildflower is an ephemeral, which is a plant that blooms in the early spring then goes dormant. It blooms before the surrounding trees leaf out and cover the area with shade. At that point, the only part of the plant remaining are the roots, rhizomes and bulbs (corm) which are all underground. In North Carolina, all of our examples of this species are classified as Erythronium americanum ssp. americanum . Another subspecies, Erythronium americanum ssp. harperi , occurs in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee. Subspecies harperi has a more prominent bristle at the end of the seed capsule than does subspecies americanum . It prefers moist, humus soils and can grow in a variety of garden areas supporting a more acidic soil. The bloom grows on a stalk, with one or more leaves at its base. Young plants often have only one leaf. Flowering plants will always have 2 leaves. Plants that are part of a colony may be non-flowering and have one or no leaves. A shade or partial shade garden, with available moisture and rich soil, would be a good location. It can also grow in rich woods or bottomlands. It can take a few seasons before this bulb produces flowers, but once it blooms, it can form colonies. Propagation can be done from seed, however, it can take 4 to 5 years before the plant will produce flowers. Once established, do not move plants, as they do not perform well after transplanting. Several of the common names for this plant refer to the flower or leaf appearance at different phases of its growth cycle. As one example, the Trout lily name refers to its leaf mottling resembling a trout moving through water and the general shape of the petals. Fawn lily refers to the spotted leaves that are said to resemble the upright ears of a fawn. Other common names, Dogtooth Violet refer to its tooth-like shaped bulb. This plant and its relatives in the genus Erythronium support Andrena miner bees, present across the U.S., which are important to the pollination of woodland and garden bulbs, berries, and flowering trees and shrubs. The scientific name of the miner bee that is attracted to this lily is Andrena (Leucandrena) erythronii. Although deer may occasionally browse the plant, the mottled pattern of its leaves helps to camouflage the foliage. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. When grown from seed, it can take up to 5 years before the plant produces flowers. Purchasing corms, or planting offsets will have better results. Does not transplant well.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 59 attributes.