Dwarf Trout Lily (Erythronium propullans): white Minnesota wildflowers

Dwarf Trout Lily

Plant Info
Also known as:	Minnesota Dwarf Trout Lily, Minnesota Fawnlily, Minnesota Adder's-tongue
Scientific name:	Erythronium propullans
Family:	Lily (Liliaceae)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	native
Habitat:	part sun, shade; rich woods
Bloom season:	spring
Plant height:	3 to 4 inches

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Flower:: A single tiny flower, about ¼ inch long and 1/3 to ½ inch across when open, nods down at the end of a naked stem about 3 inches long. There are 4 to 6 tepals (petals) that curve back, with only a small percent of flowers having the 6 tepals typical for lilies. The petal color ranges from white to pinkish or lavender. The yellow-tipped stamen are of unequal length. The flowers close up at night.
Leaves:: There are 1 or 2 basal leaves, generally elliptical, tapering to a point at both ends, with smooth edges and short stems. Immature, non-flowering plants have 1 leaf, mature flowering plants have 2 leaves of unequal lengths, the longer leaf up to 6 inches long and ¾ inch wide. The color is mottled green and brown. Leaves may be curled or folded lengthwise some, or opened flat.
Notes:: Dwarf Trout Lily is endemic to 2 or 3 counties in southern Minnesota and, according to Wikipedia, is thought by some to be a White Trout Lily that mutated when the last glacier came through the area. It grows nowhere else on earth and is an endangered species. When not flowering, it is not easily distinguished from other trout lilies, but the leaves are slightly smaller than those of the average White Trout Lily. When in bloom, the flower size difference is unmistakable.

More white wildflowers. Photos taken at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, Nerstrand MN May 2008

Have you seen this plant in Ramsey County, or have any other comments about it?