Erythronium grandiflorum Avalanche lily (Liliaceae)

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Erythronium grandiflorum
Avalanche lily
(1 Page of 5)

The Erythronium grandiflorum plant species is found in Western N. America - British Columbia to California, east to Alberta, Wyoming and Colorado. It is a member of the Liliaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Avalanche lily.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Erythronium grandiflorum
Common Name:  Avalanche lily
Family:  Liliaceae
Author:  Pursh.

Known Hazards:  Skin contact with the bulbs has been known to cause dermatitis in sensitive people[65].

Mature Height:  0.15   Mature Width:  0.08

Habitat:  Sagebrush, open woodland and grassy mountain slopes, sometimes to the tree line[42, 90]. Rich moist soil along the banks of streams, shaded woods and sub-alpine meadows, often in large patches[212].

Propagation Notes: Seed - 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[164, 200]. Stored seed requires a period of cold stratification[164]. Sow as early in spring as possible in a cold frame. Sow the seed thinly so that it will not be necessary to prick them out for their first year of growth. Give an occasional liquid feed to the seedlings to make sure that they do not become nutrient deficient. When the plants are dormant, pot up the small bulbs putting 2 - 3 bulbs in each pot. Grow them on in a shady position in the greenhouse for another 2 3 years and then plant them out into their permanent positions when they are dormant in late summer. Division of the bulbs in the summer as the leaves die down[1]. Larger bulbs can be replanted immediately into their permanent positions, but it is best to pot up smaller bulbs and grow them on in a shady position in a greenhouse for a year before planting them out when dormant in late summer.

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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