These are listed as Erythronium spp. because we began growing them before we realized there are two species of yellow trout lily in Missouri. The easiest way to differentiate the two is by examing the flowers and seed pods. E. americanum often has strongly reflexed flower petals and seed pods that are rounded or flat at the end. E. rostratum flower petals are not strongly reflexed and has seed pods that are pointy or beaked at the end; it also has an appendage at the base of the petals that wraps around the stamen, seen here.

Yellow trout lily is a long-lived spring ephemeral that takes advantage of sunlight before the trees leaf out. After flowering and setting seed, it will go dormant until the following spring. Mature plants will have a set of two leaves and are capable of flowering, while immature plants have a single leaf and do not bloom. Colonies are formed as stolons spread away from the corm. 

Uses: Bees, historically medicinal, woodland gardens
Bloom time: March - May

Height: up to 6 inches
Space: 4 to 6 inches

Sun: Medium sun to shade
Moisture: Average