Giant White Fawnlily

(Erythronium oregonum)

Giant White Fawnlily (Erythronium oregonum)

Ellyne Geurts

Public Domain

Image By: Ellyne Geurts

Recorded By:

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Erythronium oregonum, commonly known as Giant White Fawnlily, is a deciduous perennial herb that is native to the moist, open forest floors and grassy balds of the Pacific Northwest, including the Western United States and Canada. It typically grows from a bulb 3 to 5 centimeters wide and produces basal, lance-shaped green leaves up to 22 centimeters long, often mottled with brown and white, which adds to its ornamental value. Thin, naked stalks reach up to about 40 centimeters in height, each bearing one, and occasionally more, nodding flower that faces the ground. The flowers, which bloom in early spring, are particularly showy with white tepals that have yellow bases and are sometimes streaked with dull red. The tepals are recurved, giving the flower a distinctive appearance as their points face upward. Stamens and stigma are white, and anthers may be white to yellow. The plant is pollinated by beetles and flies, indicating its ecological role in native ecosystems.

Giant White Fawnlily is valued for its delicate, nodding flowers that add a touch of elegance to woodland gardens and shaded borders. It is often used in naturalistic plantings and as an underplanting for larger shrubs. In cultivation, it prefers partial to full shade, consistent moisture, and well-drained soils rich in organic matter. While it requires medium amounts of water, it is important to avoid waterlogged conditions. It is relatively low-maintenance once established but can be slow to propagate and may take several years to flower from seed.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Herb
Height: 1.2-1.5 feet
Width: 1-0.8 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: Cream, Yellow, White
Flowering Season: Spring
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Part Shade
Water: Medium
Drainage: Slow, Medium

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rock Garden

Natural Habitat

Moist, open forest floors and grassy balds of the Pacific Northwest

Other Names

Common Names: Giant Adder’s-Tongue, Oregon’s Fawn-Lily, White Fawn-Lily, Vit Hundtandslilja

Scientific Names: , Erythronium oregonum, Erythronium oregonum subsp. leucandrum, Erythronium oregonum subsp. oregonum, Erythronium giganteum subsp. leucandrum, Erythronium oregonum var. lucandrum, Erythronium revolutum var. albiflorum, Erythronium revolutum var. praecox, Erythronium revolutum var. watsonii,

GBIF Accepted Name: Erythronium oregonum Applegate