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Uses

Toxic parts

Although no records of toxicity have been seen for this species, the following notes have been seen for another member of this genus and so some caution is advised. Skin contact with the bulbs has been known to cause dermatitis in sensitive people[1].

Edible uses

Notes

Bulb - raw or cooked[2][3]. A delicious flavour[4]. Rather small, it is about 25mm long[5].

Young leaves - raw or cooked. Crisp, tasty, tender and mild when eaten raw[4]. Eating the leaves will greatly reduce the vigour of the bulb, so can only be recommended in times of emergency[K].

Flowers, flower buds and flower stems - raw or cooked[4].

Flowers

Leaves

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Erythronium albidum.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Erythronium albidum.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a shady position in a cold frame. Water lightly in summer, it should germinate in autumn or winter[6][7]. Stored seed requires a period of cold stratification[6]. Sow as early in spring as possible in a cold frame. Sow the seed thinly so that it will not be necessary to prick them out for their first year of growth. Give an occasional liquid feed to the seedlings to make sure that they do not become nutrient deficient. When the plants are dormant, pot up the small bulbs putting 2 - 3 bulbs in each pot. Grow them on in a shady position in the greenhouse for another 2 3 years and then plant them out into their permanent positions when they are dormant in late summer. Division in summer as the leaves die down. This species does not produce offsets[7].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Erythronium albidum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers slightly acid soil conditions but succeeds in chalky soils so long as they contain plenty of humus[6]. Requires semi-shade, preferably provided by trees or shrubs, and a well-drained soil[6]. Succeeds in almost any light soil, preferring one that is rich in humus[8].

This species is closely related to E. americanum[5], but is unsatisfactory in cultivation outdoors in Britain[9]. It comes into growth early in the year and the flowers probably need more heat than is available in this country if they are to open properly[9]. A clump seen growing in light shade at Kew early in April 1995 was growing vigorously, spreading well and had lots of flower buds, but was not yet in flower[K]. Flowers are produced in 3 - 4 years from seed[6].

This species does not produce offsets[7].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Erythronium albidum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Erythronium albidum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Erythronium albidum
Genus
Erythronium
Family
Liliaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
4
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
Shade
partial shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    ?
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type











    References

    1. ? Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe ISBN 0723408394 (1984-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. ()
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. ISBN 0-486-22642-5 (1970-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.4 Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. (1990-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    8. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Phillips. R. and Rix. M. Bulbs Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30253-1 (1989-00-00)
    10. ? Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)