Trout lilies are delicate yet abundant flowers, often forming a blanket of yellow on the forest floor. They may seem rare and ephemeral, but their presence is strong. Their natural fleeting nature teaches us about harnessing our own personal power. Just like the trout lily, our power can exist even when it may not feel visible or tangible, ready to be discovered.
The flower symbolizes beauty, vulnerability, and humility and reminds us that we don’t always have to be loud or forceful to claim our power. This essence can also be used to restore inner peace and tranquility, both in oneself and in children.
In this article, we will cover the identification, harvesting, how to eat, and safety of using yellow trout lily as an edible plant.
What Is Trout Lily?
Erythronium americanum, also known as the yellow adder’s tongue or yellow trout lily, is a small wildflower that belongs to the Lily family (Liliaceae). It is native to eastern parts of the United States and Canada, ranging from southern Ontario to Minnesota, and from South Carolina and Georgia to Mississippi and Arkansas. It is also listed as Threatened in Iowa.
The plant is known for its gray-green leaves mottled with brown or gray, which resemble the coloring of brook trout. It is known by several common names including Trout Lily, Dogtooth violet, yellow adder’s tongue, Yellow Trout-lily, American Trout-lily, Eastern Trout-lily, Yellow Dogtooth Violet, Adder’s Tongue, Serpent’s Tongue, Yellow fawn-lily, Yellow Snowdrop, Amberbell, Fish Hooks, Lamb’s tongue, Serpent’s tongue, Snake leaf, Snake root, Spring Lily, Yellow Lily, Fawn Lily and Yellow Bells. The genus name Erythronium comes from Greek, meaning “red”, and the specific epithet refers to the plant being from North or South America.
What is Yellow Trout Lily Flower Essence?
Yellow trout lily flower essence is a type of flower essence remedy that is made from the flowers of the yellow trout lily plant. Flower essences are a form of vibrational medicine that is based on the idea that the energy of a flower can be captured and used to promote healing and balance in the body, mind, and spirit. The idea behind flower essences is that the energy imprint of the flower can help to correct imbalances or negative patterns in the individual, helping to promote emotional and spiritual well-being.
Flower essences are made by infusing flowers in water and adding a preservative such as brandy to create a stock solution. A few drops of this stock solution is taken under the tongue or added to water to drink. Yellow trout lily flower essence is believed to have a grounding and stabilizing effect, promoting balance and harmony on all levels of being. It is used to help with issues like fear, insecurity and feelings of being lost and disconnected. They believed that it would help to connect with the earth and the self.
How To Identify Yellow Trout Lily
Yellow trout lily can be identified by its distinctive tulip-like leaves that are green with silvery-brownish mottled markings. These leaves can reach up to ten inches in length and have smooth edges that come to a point. The plant forms colonies, but it takes several years for the yellow trout lily to flower.
The yellow flower of the trout lily has six petals and both male and female reproductive organs, it appears during May. The plant does not have a stem except when it’s in flower, the flowers only last for a short time.
How To Harvest Yellow Trout Lily
When foraging for yellow trout lilies, it is important to practice ethical harvesting as these colonies take hundreds of years to grow. The plant has both above-ground and underground parts, the leaves and a small corm, that are edible but harvesting the corm kills the plant.
To preserve the colony and make it sustainable, some people prefer to only harvest the leaves which can be found in plenty. The corms are small and require extra effort to dig up. Since the leaves are more abundant and widely available, it might not be worth the time and effort required to dig up the corms.
How To Eat Yellow Trout Lily
Yellow trout lily can be used in various ways as food, both the leaves and bulbs of the plant can be consumed raw or cooked, and can also be added to salads. They are best used as an accompaniment rather than the main dish.
However, it is important to note that eating the leaves can greatly reduce the vigor of the bulb, so it is only suggested in times of need. The flowers, flower buds, and flower stems can also be consumed raw or cooked. The very young leaves or corms can also be used as a cooked vegetable.
The corms are edible and have a cucumber-like taste. You can add this plant to a salad or eat it as a trail snack, or make tea with the flowers, leaves, or corm (or all). If you collect enough corms, they can be roasted as well.
Also read: Palo Azul Tea Health Benefits And Side Effects Explained
Yellow Trout Lily Precautions
Yellow trout lilies may be emetic, which means they can cause vomiting, though many people consume them without any issues. However, it is important to be cautious when trying new plants and to always make sure they are properly identified before consuming them. If in doubt, it’s best to avoid it.
Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that some sources suggest that consuming trout lilies may also interfere with conception, so it may be best to be aware of this when trying to conceive.
It’s worth mentioning that skin contact with the bulbs of the yellow trout lily may cause dermatitis in some people who are sensitive to it. If you have sensitive skin, it’s best to wear gloves when handling the bulbs and to wash your hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them. It’s also a good idea to perform a patch test before applying the bulb or yellow trout lily essence to the skin.
Medicinal Uses And Benefits Of Trout Lily
Trout lily has a range of medicinal properties and uses, but it should be used with caution as it can cause vomiting and may also have an impact on conception. The leaves and bulbs are crushed and applied to wounds, reducing swellings, scrofula, and other skin problems.
The leaves, bulbs and roots were once consumed for medicinal purposes, such as a contraceptive. The juice from crushed leaves has been applied to wounds that are not healing. A poultice of the crushed bulbs has been applied to swellings and to help remove splinters.
Herbal tea made from the root and leaf is said to reduce fever and fainting, tea is also taken for ulcers, tumors, and swollen glands. The plant is believed to have anti-inflammatory, lymphatic, wound healing, and nervine properties.
Externally, it is used for wounds, abscesses, and myco-bacteria infections of the skin. It is also used for urinary tract conditions such as cystitis and nephritis, inflammation of the mucous membranes of the body, edema, chronic skin conditions, and stress-related conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, and muscle tension.
