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Click for more Erythronium grandiflorum.
Erythronium grandiflorum (Glacier Lily)
Liliaceae (Lily Family)

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 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.

 

Erythronium grandiflorum

Erythronium grandiflorum

Erythronium grandiflorum

Erythronium grandiflorum

Erythronium grandiflorum

Erythronium grandiflorum

 

 

 

 

 

Erythronium grandiflorum (Glacier Lily)
Liliaceae (Lily Family)

Montane. Openings, meadows. Spring.
Lower Stoner Mesa Trail, May 26, 2004.  Western San Juan National Forest, May 7, 2009.  Narraguinnep Natural Area, May 28, 2004.  Near Hlemet Peak, June 22, 2009..

A single bud emerges from the center of upright, narrow leaves;

petals then unfold and begin to curl;

flowers stay vibrant for a number of days as they are fertilized;

and then seeds enlarge.

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