American Trout Lily, sometimes called "dog-tooth violet," is much rarer in North Carolina than the common Erythronium umbilicatum (Dimpled Trout Lily).

Durham Co., NC 3/25/2012.

Durham Co., NC 3/25/2012.

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.

Bloom time is later in American (late March-April), earlier in Dimpled (early-mid March), though the dates may overlap.

Durham Co., NC 3/25/2012.

The anthers are usually yellow, lavender-brown in E. umbilicatum, though this is not a reliable character.

Person Co., NC 4/1/06.

Person Co., NC 4/1/06.