Montane. Openings, meadows. Spring.
Lower Stoner Mesa Trail, May 26, 2004.

Not long after snow melt, Glacier Lilies are found in large showy colonies but they may also appear scattered through open woods and meadows.  Their distinctive bright yellow reflexed petals are eye-catching and poetic.

"Erythro" is Greek for "red" and may refer to the color of some species (not in our area) or to the more often found red anthers.

Meriwether Lewis collected the first specimen of this plant in present-day Idaho near the Clearwater River in 1806.  Frederick Pursh named it in 1814.

Range map © John Kartesz,
Floristic Synthesis of North America

State Color Key

Species present in state and native
Species present in state and exotic
Species not present in state

County Color Key

Species present and not rare
Species present and rare
Species extirpated (historic)
Species extinct
Species noxious
Species exotic and present
Native species, but adventive in state
Eradicated
Questionable presence

Range map for Erythronium grandiflorum