Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Liliaceae

Genus:

Erythronium

Species:

Erythronium mesochoreum

USDA Symbol:

ERME15

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Geophyte

Height:

20 cm

Light Requirements:

Part Shade

Drought Tolerance:

Low

Bloom Months:

mar,apr,may

Bloom Colors:

white, lavender

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

bees, ants

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Native to tallgrass prairies historically maintained by fire; bulbs resprout after burns.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

rich, well-drained loamy soil

pH:

6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

prefers open woodlands and prairies

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days

Germination Time:

30–365 days

Notes:

Seeds may take one to several years to germinate; best sown fresh in fall and allowed to cold stratify naturally outdoors.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI