Practical
Plants

Erythronium hendersonii

a member of the Erythronium genus in the family Liliaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Liliaceae
Height
0.3 m
Spread
0.12 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[5].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Although no specific mention has been found for this species, most if not all members of the genus provide edible bulbs[K]. The corms of this species are up to 6cm long and 15mm thick[6].

Plant part
Root

Environment

Range
Western N. America - Oregon to British Columbia.
Habitat
Wooded slopes, 400 - 1500 metres[6].
Shade tolerance
partial shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[2][3]. Stored seed requires a period of cold stratification[2]. 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 of the bulbs in the summer as the leaves die down[1]. Larger bulbs can be replanted immediately into their permanent positions, but it is best to pot up smaller bulbs and grow them on in a shady position in a greenhouse for a year before planting them out when dormant in late summer.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers slightly acid soil conditions but succeeds in chalky soils if these contain plenty of humus[2]. Requires semi-shade, preferably provided by trees or shrubs, and a well-drained soil[4][2]. Succeeds in almost any light soil, preferring one that is rich in humus[1]. Plants prefer perfect drainage and require drier conditions when dormant[3]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[3]. Plants are growing well in the light shade of a woodland garden at Kew where they are spreading slowly[K]. Bulbs should be planted about 7cm deep[1].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Grey. C. H. Hardy Bulbs. Williams & Norgate. 1938-00-00

    ↩

  5. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩

  6. Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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