Erythronium howellii
S.Watson
Howell's Fawn-lily
(c) Corey Brooke, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Corey Brooke
(c) Corey Brooke, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Corey Brooke
(c) Ed Alverson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ed Alverson
What to Eat
Edible parts: Root, Bulb
Based on use recorded for the closely related E. origonum, the bulb of this species is likely edible raw, cooked, or dried for later use.
Known Hazards
Where to Find It
It is a temperate plant.
Canada, North America, USA,
How to Identify
A bulbous perennial reaching 30cm in height. Not frost tender. Flowers bloom April to May with seeds ripening June to July. Hermaphroditic flowers are insect-pollinated. Grows in light sandy or medium loamy, well-drained soil suitable across mildly acid to basic pH levels. Adapts to semi-shade in light woodland environments and requires moist soil conditions.
How to Grow
Prefers slightly acid soil conditions but succeeds in chalky soils if these contain plenty of humus. Requires semi-shade, preferably provided by trees or shrubs, and a well-drained soil. Succeeds in almost any light soil, preferring one that is rich in humus. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c. Bulbs should be planted about 7cm deep. This species is closely related to E. helenae, E. origonum, E. citrinum and E. californicum. According to the Flora of North America, this species is no more than a synonym for E. citrinum.
Propagation: Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a shady position in a cold frame. Water lightly in summer; it should germinate in autumn or winter. Stored seed requires a period of cold stratification and should be sown as early in spring as possible in a cold frame. Sow thinly so that seedlings will not need pricking out in their first year. Give an occasional liquid feed to prevent nutrient deficiency. When plants are dormant, pot up the small bulbs 2–3 per pot and grow on in a shady position in the greenhouse for a further 2–3 years before planting out into permanent positions when dormant in late summer. When dividing bulbs in summer as the leaves die down, larger bulbs can be replanted immediately into permanent positions, while smaller bulbs are best potted up and grown on in a shady position in a greenhouse for a year before planting out when dormant in late summer.
Medicinal Uses
None known
Other Uses
None known
Wikipedia
Source ↗Erythronium howellii, or Howell's fawn lily, is a flowering plant in the lily family Liliaceae. It is endemic to the Klamath Mountains of southwestern Oregon and northwestern California. Taxonomic authorities are divided on whether E. howellii is a distinct species from the morphologically similar E. citrinum.
Notes
There are about 22 Erythronium species.
References (1)
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
