Endangered Plants of Ontario - White Trout Lily

White Trout Lily
(a.k.a. White adder's-tongue; white dogtooth-violet)

Erythronium albidum

Status

Uncommon in Ontario.

Range

Southern Ontario to Minnesota, south to Georgia and Oklahoma; another

variety west to Nebraska and south to Texas.

Habitat

Rich deciduous woods, in calcareous soils.

Height

10 to 20 cm.

Bloom Period

Late April and May.

Factors contributing to its status

Reasons for the scarcity of this species in Ontario are not entirely clear. A closely related species, the yellow trout lily, is widespread and abundant here.

Clearing of forests and disturbance of remaining woodlands have eliminated and continue to eliminate suitable habitats.

Notes

Trout lilies, both this species and the better-known yellow-flowered species, disappear in June. When the leaves of the trees above them have reached full size, the light reaching the forest floor is reduced, and photosynthesis declines correspondingly. Although some woodland species with dark green leaves are adapted to this reduced light and continue to produce more food than they consume, the leaves of trout lilies and many other spring wildflowers die back in summer. The bulbs of this species live on and produce subterranean offshoots from which new bulbs develop, eventually forming large patches of plants.

Habitat	Rich deciduous woods, in calcareous soils.
Height	10 to 20 cm.
Bloom Period	Late April and May.
Factors contributing to its status	Reasons for the scarcity of this species in Ontario are not entirely clear. A closely related species, the yellow trout lily, is widespread and abundant here. Clearing of forests and disturbance of remaining woodlands have eliminated and continue to eliminate suitable habitats.
Notes	Trout lilies, both this species and the better-known yellow-flowered species, disappear in June. When the leaves of the trees above them have reached full size, the light reaching the forest floor is reduced, and photosynthesis declines correspondingly. Although some woodland species with dark green leaves are adapted to this reduced light and continue to produce more food than they consume, the leaves of trout lilies and many other spring wildflowers die back in summer. The bulbs of this species live on and produce subterranean offshoots from which new bulbs develop, eventually forming large patches of plants.