(Minnesota Fawn lily). A native perennial ephemeral of the early spring woods, this is the least seen of the three Minnesota species of trout lily (or Dog-tooth Violet as they are also known). Leaves: This species has lanceolate leaves, up to 5" long. Like the other trout lilies, the leaves are mottled green with some brownish overtones and all are basal. Non-flowering plants have one leaf and flowering plants usually have two. Flowers: The flower stalk (a scape - an above ground extension of the underground stem) arises between the basal leaves The stalk can be 1-1/2 to 5" high. Each flowering plant has a single flower with 4 to 6 petal-like tepals (although 5 is normal) that are usually more pale pink than white, and only about 1/3" long. The tepals can strongly reflex. The flower has from 2 to 6 stamens with white filaments, yellow anthers, yellow pollen and a white un-lobed style. Many plants in a grouping will flower annually. Seed: This species rarely produces a seed capsule and when it does it is usually the result of a cross with the White Trout Lily (E. albidum).

Habitat: The most common habitat for this plant is a wooded floodplain or north facing slopes that are moist. Spring dappled sunlight is desired but shape from the over-story must be provided in summer. It propagates from an offshoot from the stem just below ground level from which a single bulblet is to be produced. Comparison: E. propullans' close relative is the White Trout Lily, E. albidum, for which it is easily mistaken when not in flower. The distinguishing differences are: E. albidum has longer and wider leaves and larger flowers with 6 tepals; you will see mostly leaves and only a few flowers because that species has a very low annual flowering rate; and finally E. albidum produces 1 to 3 bulblets from an offshoot below the current bulblet. These two plants, when in close proximity, tend to hybridize and the resulting plants generally look like E. albidum. Plants die back in early summer.