Be careful where you step! There’s trout lilies growing here.
Their leaves are speckled green and the flower is sunshine yellow. Trout lilies are a native perennial that live in partly shady areas near moist land. They bloom in March, April and May. Their early blooms allow them to soak up plenty of sun before the trees overhead leaf out and block much of the sunlight. They are called ephemerals because in the heat of summer, the flowers and foliage disappear. Fun facts about trout lilies:
- The bloom time of this native plant was regarded by the Cherokee Natives as the time to first for trout. The Cherokee would use the plant as a medication for various ailments, and as a fishing lure.
- Trout lilies are sometimes called the dog’s-tooth violet because its corm, the tiny bulb at the base of the root, resembles a tiny, white dog’s tooth.
- In the 17th century, Europeans were so excited to obtain trout lilies from America because their roots were considered to be an aphrodisiac.
- Emily Dickinson, a 19th century American poet, wrote many poems about spring ephemerals and kept a herbarium, one in which she refers to the trout lilies as “adder’s-tongue,” in reference to the tongue like shape of the flower, and the open mouth of the Adder snake (mycherokeegarden.com).
Trout lilies are a protected species at Rockefeller State Park Preserve. Want to help us preserve our native plant and wildlife? Register for the Preserve’s upcoming events at www.RockefellerStateParkPreserve.Eventbrite.com!
Dogs are allowed on leash.
There is a $6 daily parking fee, unless you have a New York State Empire Pass, A Golden Park Pass, or a Group/Individual Access Pass.
Thank you West End 2 for placing and maintaining caches.