Trout Lily, or Erythronium americanum, is a tiny spring showstopper whose little yellow firework-like flowers I straight up missed for the first few springs I hiked near them! Embarrassing. This might also be due to the fact the ones I’ve seen here in NC max out around four inches tall.
These pint-sized perennial wildflowers open their petals in the mornings and close up tight at night, which is both adorable and practical.
The root of the trout lily is actually a raw wild edible, making them a good plant to know for foraging purposes (read: in case you get lost in the woods!). Be prepared to dig 3-5 inches down to get to the "corm" (tuber)!
Trout lilies often grow so thickly they completely cover the ground.
Find out if Trout Lilies grow near you here and check your local hiking trails March through May for a dose of petite yellow cheer.
Of course, always be respectful of your local forests and ecosystems! Trout lilies definitely fall under the “look, don’t touch” category unless you really do get super lost in the woods and need food for survival.