Bill's Botanical Forays

I was impressed with the Bellevue Botanic Garden and their effort to capture the native flora. Of all the flowers on display, I think my favorite was the Giant White Fawn Lily – (Erythronium oregonum Applegate). It was definitely the largest member of the Erythronium genus that I have ever seen.

 

 

 

It naturally occurs from British Columbia to Oregon west of the Cascade Crest with a few outlying populations in Northern California along the coast.

 

 

The plant grows from a bulb about 2 inches wide. It produces wide green leaves up to 9 inches long, which are mottled with brown and white. The flowering stalk can reach 16 inches and bears one to three flowers. The tepals of the flowers are mostly white with yellow bases.  Sometimes red streaks are visible.