Oregon Fawn Lily

The botanical name for this species is Erythronium oregonum and it is known to as the Fawn Lily because of its beautifully mottled foliage. These were blooming in profusion at Washington Park in Anacortes last Saturday where we went on an excursion with the Washington Native Orchid Society.

The last time I had seen these they were totally without the brown markings at the base of the flower with only a touch of yellow there. These all had the brown markings. They are single-flowered, eight inches to a foot tall and almost always carry their flowers in a nodding position.

In my opinion they are one of the Northwest's most delicate and beautiful wildflowers and it is always a delight to see them, though they are relatively common in the areas where they are found. We had gone to see the Fairy Slippers but these certainly were an added bonus.

More pictures from our hike can be found at: ronaldhanko-orchidhunter.blogspot.com/2011/04/first-nativ....