Erythronium grandiflorum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Erythronium grandiflorum |
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| Erythronium grandiflorum Mount Rainier National Park |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Erythronium
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| Species: |
grandiflorum
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| Synonyms | |
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Synonymy
Erythronium leptopetalum Rydb.
Erythronium maximum Douglas ex Baker Erythronium nudipetalum Applegate Erythronium obtusatum Goodd. Erythronium pallidum (H.St.John) G.N.Jones Erythronium parviflorum (S.Watson) Goodd. Erythronium speciosum Nutt. ex Baker Erythronium utahense Rydb. Erythronium giganteum Lindl. |
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Erythronium grandiflorum is a beautiful wild flower found in North America. It belongs to the lily family. People call it by many names, like the yellow avalanche lily, glacier lily, or dogtooth fawn lily. The Ktunaxa people have their own name for it: maxa.
Contents
About the Glacier Lily
This plant grows from a deep bulb (which is like a small, round underground stem) that is about 3 to 5 centimeters wide. It has two green leaves with wavy edges, growing up to 20 centimeters long. The main stem, or stalk, can reach up to 30 centimeters tall.
Its Flowers
Each stalk usually has one to three bright, showy flowers. These flowers have bright lemon yellow petals. Inside, you'll see white stamens (the parts that make pollen). The tips of the stamens, called anthers, can be white, yellow, or even red. The flower also has a white style, which is part of the female reproductive system.
Scientists used to think there were two types (subspecies) of this plant. One had yellow flowers (subsp. grandiflorum). The other had white or cream-colored flowers (subsp. candidum). Now, many scientists believe the white-flowered type is actually a completely different plant called Erythronium idahoense.
Where It Grows
The yellow avalanche lily is native to western North America. You can find it from British Columbia and Alberta in Canada, all the way south to New Mexico and California in the United States. It hasn't been found in Arizona or Nevada.
Its Home
This plant loves to grow in subalpine mountain areas. These are places high up in the mountains, just below the tree line. You can spot it in mountain meadows, on slopes, and in clearings where there's plenty of sunlight.
How It Lives in Nature
The bright yellow flowers of the glacier lily are very important for bumblebees and other bees. These insects help pollinate the flowers, which means they help the plant make seeds.
Food for Animals
The bulbs of this plant are a favorite food for grizzly bears. They dig them up to eat them. Mule deer also enjoy munching on the leaves of the glacier lily.
Uses by People
People can eat different parts of the glacier lily. The bulbs can be cooked, or even eaten raw if needed. The leaves and flowers are also safe to eat, either raw or cooked.
Gallery
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Bud and flower
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Blooms in Missoula, Montana
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Young fruit
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