Yellow Trout Lily is a spring ephemeral wildflower that carpets rich eastern forests in late April. Its mottled brown and green leaves resemble a brook trout's markings. A colony may take 7 years or more from seed to first flower, and mature plants persist for decades. The seeds are dispersed by ants attracted to their oily appendages.
Best time to see a Yellow Trout Lily
The best time to see a Yellow Trout Lily is April, when about 71% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 52,770 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Yellow Trout Lily? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Yellow Trout Lily sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted a Yellow Trout Lily?
Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal and know for sure - plus a live map of where it is being spotted near you.