Dimpled Trout Lily is a native spring ephemeral found in moist bottomland or slope forests, or in rather dry upland habitats throughout NC and the southeastern U.S.A. Two fleshy mottled leaves appear in early spring with a single stem bearing one yellow lily-like flower. The plant then dies down by summer. It grows from a small white pointed bulb that multiplies and can form colonies. The bulbs are often deep and it is difficult to dig them up without damaging the plant. Use this plant in a woodland setting with humus enriched moist soils in partial shade to shade. They will do well along a waterway as ponds or streams.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 10 in. | Width: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 7 in.
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover (<1 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Leaf color
Brown/Copper; Green; Purple/Lavender
Leaf shape
Elliptical
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Fleshy
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Two green, fleshy, oval, basal leaves are 3-5 inches long and 2-3 inches wide. Mottled with irregular green, brown, purple splotches.
Flower color
Brown/Copper; Gold/Yellow; Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower detail
A single, nodding, lily-like flower on 5-8 inch stalk with 6 petals, yellow on inside and streaked with brownish-purple on the outside, that recurve backward. Conspicuous brownish-purple stamens. Blooms from February to April.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit detail
The capsule is green maturing to yellow with an indented end from April to June. Seeds are spread by ants.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
2-8 inch green flower stem
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Southeastern U.S.A.
Wildlife value
This plant attracts bees and ants.
Attracts
Bees
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Spring
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Pond; Woodland
Landscape theme
Native Garden; Rain Garden; Shade Garden
Garden tags
#native perennial #NC native #food source spring #food source nectar #food source pollen #Coastal FAC #Piedmont Mountains FAC #ants #food source soft mast fruit #yellow flowers #Audubon #bee friendly #shade garden #woodland