Erythronium americanum

Recognized by its paired, green-and-brown/maroon spotted leaves (like trout), the Trout Lily is sometimes called Dogtooth Violet for its white underground corm. Trout Lily is a lily, not a violet. It is a common spring ephemeral wildflower that grows in woodland colonies in Eastern North America, except for Florida. In North Carolina is is found more in piedmont and mountain counties than on the coastal plain. Trout Lily has no stem except for when it flowers and then a single, yellow, nodding, 6-petaled flower appears on the stem. Only plants with 2 basal leaves will produce a flower. Trout Lily attracts numerous bees and insects for its easily accessible nectar. It should thrive in deciduous forest habitat where it can receive sufficient sun in the early spring. Absolutely stunning as a ground cover when a colony is formed.