Avalanche-lily
Erythronium grandiflorum
Synonyms: Erythronium grandiflorum var. nudiflorum, Erythronium grandiflorum var. pallidum, Erythronium nudipetalum, Erythronium grandiflorum var. giganteum, Erythronium grandiflorum f. giganteum, Erythronium obtusatum, Erythronium grandiflorum var. robustum, Erythronium grandiflorum var. minus, Erythronium speciosum, Erythronium grandiflorum var. parviflorum, Erythronium leptopetalum, Erythronium grandiflorum var. maculatum, Erythronium parviflorum, Erythronium grandiflorum var. chrysandrum, Erythronium grandiflorum subsp. chrysandrum, Erythronium utahense, Erythronium giganteum, Erythronium pallidum, Erythronium maximum
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Botanical Description
Erythronium grandiflorum, the yellow avalanche-lily or glacier lily, is a perennial bulbous herb in the lily family Liliaceae, native to montane and subalpine meadows of western North America from British Columbia south through the Rocky Mountains and Cascade Range. Plants arise from a slender, deep-seated white corm-like bulb. Each flowering individual produces a pair of broad, smooth, glossy green basal leaves and a single leafless scape 15 to 30 centimetres tall. The scape bears one to several large nodding flowers with six recurved, bright yellow tepals, six prominent stamens with yellow or reddish anthers, and a slender style. Plants flower as the snow recedes in spring, often appearing in vast sheets across alpine meadows. Fruits are erect three-angled capsules releasing flat brown seeds. The species is a hallmark spring ephemeral of high-elevation western North American flora.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
The corms of Erythronium grandiflorum were widely used as a food among Interior Salish and other Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest and northern Rocky Mountains, with the Thompson, Okanagan-Colville, Shuswap, Blackfoot and Montana tribes harvesting the deep bulbs in spring; they were consumed fresh, dried for winter storage, or prepared in soups and puddings (NAEB; Turner et al., 1990). Limited medicinal use is also documented, with the plant employed as a cold remedy and as a dermatological aid in NAEB records.
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.