Avelanche Lily
Erythronium montanumfam. Liliaceae
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Plant identification, safety, and edibility depend on local conditions, cultivars, and correct identification. Consult a qualified botanist or forager before consuming or handling wild specimens. How we source & review →
Pl. 0505 — Erythronium montanum
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IOverview
Overview
Avelanche Lily (Erythronium montanum) is a delicate herbaceous plant native to the Pacific Northwest, specifically British Columbia, Oregon, and Washington. It thrives in partial sun to shade, requiring moist conditions and well-drained, light or medium soil. Known for its edible root, this lily adds a touch of beauty to gardens while providing a food source. One distinctive feature is its nodding, bell-shaped flowers that range from white to pink, often with a yellow spot at the base. Its light requirements and moisture needs make it an ideal addition to woodland or shade gardens in its native range.
Quick answers
What is Avelanche Lily?
Avelanche Lily (Erythronium montanum) is a delicate herbaceous plant native to the Pacific Northwest, specifically British Columbia, Oregon, and Washington. It thrives in partial sun to shade, requiring moist conditions and well-drained, light or medium soil.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Avelanche Lily thrives in partial sun to shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil that is light (sandy) or medium. It grows up to 0.3 meters tall and is a hardy forb/herb native to British Columbia, Oregon, and Washington. For cultivation, ensure the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged. Propagation can be done through root division in early spring or autumn. Roots are edible parts of this plant.
Light
Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.3 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Avelanche Lily for the first time
8steps
Start with Avelanche Lily to gain experience in growing native plants.
- 1
What you'll need
Avelanche Lily bulbs, a small trowel, and mulch.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in early spring or late fall when the soil is cool.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a location with partial shade. Ensure the soil is light (sandy) to medium, moist, and well-draining.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Plant bulbs 5-7 cm deep and 10-15 cm apart in the prepared soil.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep the area moist but not waterlogged. Avoid direct sunlight during this period.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water when the top inch of soil dries out, especially if it's dry and sunny. Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
After flowering, allow the foliage to yellow naturally before removing it to store energy for next year.
- 8
Common mistakes
Planting in full sun, overwatering, using heavy clay soil, neglecting mulch, and not allowing natural leaf senescence.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Root
Edible uses: The Avelanche Lily, or Erythronium montanum, is edible and its root can be consumed. Typically, the roots are dug up in early spring and prepared either raw or cooked. They can also be dried for later use. Skip any detailed preparation methods as specific techniques are not provided.
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
3 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
3 native · 0 introducedDistribution across0 continents· 3 native
Broader regions
native:British Columbia, Oregon, Washington
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family (Liliaceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.
same family · Liliaceae
Botanical relatives — often share phytochemistry + growing needs.
XI
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Companion planting
Compare with similar plants
XII
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · 05059c04-afcf-41d9-98c5-07020ffc8c5a
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