Erythronium umbilicatum

Dimpled Trout Lily (Erythronium umbilicatum)Lily Family Trout lilies are spring ephemerals, heralding the arrival of the spring with their striking, speckled leaves that emerge as early as February. These unique leaves, often compared to the markings of a trout’s skin, gradually unfold before the nodding, yellow flowers appear in mid-spring. By late spring or early summer, the plants enter dormancy, disappearing entirely until the following year.  Trout lilies thrive in rich, humusy, moist soils found in woodland settings, where they naturally form small colonies through both corm offshoots and seed. It typically takes up to 7 years from seed for a plant to produce flowers, and only mature plants with two leaves will bloom. While not heavily pollinated by insects, Trout lilies are valuable for their ecological role in controlling erosion and assisting with water uptake, particularly during early spring when few other plants are actively growing. Blooms: Yellow, 1-2 weeks, February-