Erythronium purpurascens aka Purple Fawnlily

Erythronium purpurascens grows from a bulb. It belongs to the lily family, Liliaceae. It is native to northern and north-central California. Its common names include purple fawnlily and avalanche lily. It grows in a temperate climate, surviving below ground as a bulb. Plants reach about 1 foot [0.3 metres] tall. The slim bulb can reach about 0.13 feet [0.04 metres] long.

In the wild, it grows in moist mountain sites. These include yellow pine woods and red fir forests. Records also place it in open conifer woods. It grows in meadows and on rocky ground too. Reported sites lie about 3,940 to 8,860 feet [1,200–2,700 metres] above sea level. These sites span both woods and more open ground. The evidence points to woodland beds and shaded edges for gardens.

Flowers appear from April to May. Each flower has both male and female organs. Seeds ripen from June to July, after the flowers. The supplied records give few facts about this species' flowers. They say little about their colour or shape. They also give no clear account of leaves or fruit. Accounts of the whole genus cannot confirm these traits here.

Give this plant part shade from trees or shrubs. It needs moist soil that drains well. Sand and loam suit it; humus helps improve the soil. It prefers ground that is a little acid. It also copes with neutral and mildly alkaline soil. Chalky soil can work with plenty of humus in it. Reported hardiness reaches at least 5°F [−15°C]. Plant bulbs about 0.23 feet [0.07 metres] deep. Its shade and moisture needs suit a woodland garden.

For best results, sow fresh seed as soon as it ripens. Use a cold frame in shade. Water lightly in summer. Seeds may sprout in autumn or winter. Stored seed needs a cold spell before it sprouts. Keep young bulbs sheltered for more growth before planting out. PFAF gives this species an edibility score of two out of five. But its claim for bulbs as food draws on other species in the genus. This does not confirm that this species is safe to eat. The supplied evidence does not establish whether it is toxic. PFAF lists no known medicinal or other uses. It reports no weed potential. It gives no pest or disease details for this species.