Yellow Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum)

Seed Collection Time:

Late spring — typically May through early June, shortly after flowering ends.

Signs seeds are ready:

• After flowering, the plant forms nodding, oval-shaped seed capsules on a thin stalk.

• Capsules swell and turn yellowish to tan as they ripen.

• Inside are smooth, shiny seeds with fleshy elaiosomes (used in ant dispersal).

• Seeds are dispersed quickly by ants (myrmecochory), so regular monitoring is essential.

Seed collection steps:

1. Collect capsules just before they split open — check daily in late spring.

2. Gently crush capsules to release the seeds.

3. Do not allow seeds to dry out — they are recalcitrant (short-lived if dried).

4. Store seeds in moist medium or plant immediately for best results.

Germination tip:

• Double dormancy: Seeds need a full year cycle to germinate.

• W/C (Warm → Cold): Warm-moist stratification (~70°F for 60–90 days), followed by cold-moist (~40°F for 90–120 days).

• Expect germination in the second spring after planting.