• Trail Maps
  • The Armstrong Trail
  • North (MP 46 - MP 68)
  • South (MP 30 - MP 48)
• Trail Info
  • News
  • Special Advisories
  • Access Points
  • Rules
  • Allegheny Valley RR History
  • Disclaimer
  • Membership
• On The Trail
  • Trail Photos
  • Trail Historical Sites
  • Plants
  • Wildlife
• Contact
• Links
• Home

Trout Lilies

Latin Name: erythronium americanum Other Names: Adders Tongue, Dogtooth Violet Native to: Pennsylvania, as well as Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia Trout lilies are low-growing wild flowers that bloom in early Spring (March-May). Mature trout lilies have long hanging yellow petals with green leaves that have purple to brown spotting pattern. These wild flowers get the name "Trout Lilies" due to the coloration of their leaves which is similar to the colorations of the Brook Trout. As June and warmer weather approaches, the trout lilies will lose most to all of their above ground foliage. During the Summer months and through out the Winter months, the root system will spread new shoots underground for the next Spring season.

Azure Bluet

Latin Name: Houstonia caerulea Family Name: Rubianceae (madder) The Azure Bluet is a very common low growing wildflower. The Azure Bluet is pale blue with a golden-yellow center that grows to a height of 6 inches. They bloom April to June and like grassy fields, thickets and lawns.

May-Apple

Latin Name: Podophyllum peltatum Family Name: Berberidaceae (barberry) The May-Apple has green leaves that look like an umbrella that develops a very small light yellow flower underneath. The May-Apple grows to be 18” high and likes rich woods, damp shady clearings. The small yellow flower blooms form April to June. The May-Apple gets it name from the small apple it produces in May.

Trillium

Large-Flower Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum) Family: Liliaceae (lily) The Large-Flower Trillium has 3 large solid white petals and 3 green leaves. As the Large-Flower Trillium ages, the white petals will change to a light pink. It grows to a height of 18 inches. The Large-Flower Trillium blooms from April to June and likes woods and thickets. The Large-Flower Trillium is the largest trillium in its family.		Purple Trillium (Trillium erectum) Family: Liliaceae (lily) The Purple Trillium has 3 maroon petals and 3 green leaves. It grows to a height of 16 inches and likes rich woods. The Purple Trillium blooms for April to June and is the most common eastern trillium found. The Purple Trillium is also known as “Stinky Benjamin” for its unpleasant odor.
Painted Trillium (Trillium undulatom) Family: Liliaceae (lily) The Painted Trillium has 3 white petals and 3 green leaves. The white petals have a pink V at their base. It grows to a height of 20 inches and likes moist, acid woods & swamps. The Painted Trillium blooms from April to June. The Painted Trillium in known to be the most attractive trillium in the lily family.