Dimpled Trout Lily (Erythronium umbilicatum)

Dimpled Trout Lily (Erythronium umbilicatum)

Dimpled Trout Lily, sometimes called "dog-tooth violet," is the common Trout Lily in central North Carolina. Much rarer is the American Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum). The anthers are usually lavender-brown in E. umbilicatum, yellow in americanum, though this is not a reliable character. Bloom time is later in American (late March-April), earlier in Dimpled (early-mid March), though the dates may overlap.

Orange Co., NC 3/20/10.

Dimpled Trout Lily (Erythronium umbilicatum)

Orange Co., NC 3/11/2012.

Dimpled Trout Lily (Erythronium umbilicatum)

Ripening fruits grow too heavy for the stalk and touch the ground.

Durham Co., NC 3/25/2012.

Dimpled Trout Lily (Erythronium umbilicatum) and American Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum)

Comparison of Dimpled Trout Lily (Erythronium umbilicatum) (left) and American Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum) (right). The Dimpled Trout Lily has a dimple where the style attaches to the ovary; the style does not persist on the fruit. American lacks the dimple and has a persistent style.

Durham Co., NC 3/25/2012.

Dimpled Trout Lily (Erythronium umbilicatum) and American Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum)

Durham Co., NC 3/25/2012.

Dimpled Trout Lily (Erythronium umbilicatum)

Durham Co., NC 3/25/2012.

All photographs and text ©2013 by Will Cook unless otherwise noted.