Fawn Lilies | Native Plant Feature 03
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| Coastal Pink Fawn Lily, Erythronium revolutum, by Laura Watson |
Erythronium, commonly known as fawn lilies, glacier lilies, or dogtooth violets, are spring ephemerals that bring a burst of grace and colour to the forest floor. These charming members of the Lily family (Liliaceae) are easy to recognise by their nodding, lily-like flowers, paired basal leaves, and slender, arching stems. Their presence is often short-lived, making them a treasured early spring discovery for naturalists and artists alike.
In this article, we’ll explore three native species of Erythronium found across British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest:
Erythronium revolutum — Pink Fawn Lily
Erythronium oregonum — Giant White Fawn Lily
Erythronium grandiflorum — Yellow Glacier Lily
Each one is distinct in its colour palette, habitat preferences, and ecological role—yet all are beloved signs of spring's arrival.
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| Coastal Pink Fawn Lily, Erythronium revolutum, by Laura Watson |
Erythronium revolutum – Pink Fawn Lily
Common Name: Pink Fawn Lily
Latin Name: Erythronium revolutum
Family: Liliaceae
Habitat: Moist, shaded coastal forests, streambanks, and seeps
Bloom Time: March–May
Range: Coastal BC and northwestern U.S.
The Pink Fawn Lily is one of the most elegant spring wildflowers on the West Coast. Its soft pink, recurved petals often feature darker mottling near the base, and its lance-shaped, marbled leaves are as visually appealing as the blooms themselves. This species thrives in damp, shady environments, often blooming in dappled light beneath the canopy of western redcedar and bigleaf maple. I first found E. evolutum along the edge of the Cowichan River.
The species name revolutum refers to the backwards-curling petals. Like other fawn lilies, it grows from a small bulb and spreads slowly over time. It’s often found in small colonies, and its preference for moist forest edges makes it vulnerable to habitat disturbance. Look for it along mossy trails in early spring.
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| White Fawn Lily, Erythronium oregonum by Laura Watson |
Erythronium oregonum – Giant White Fawn Lily
Common Name: Giant White Fawn Lily
Latin Name: Erythronium oregonum
Family: Liliaceae
Habitat: Open woodlands, grassy bluffs, meadows
Bloom Time: March–April
Range: Southwestern BC to northern California
The Giant White Fawn Lily is striking with its creamy white flowers and bold yellow centre. It’s slightly taller than E. revolutum, and its broad, mottled leaves emerge in pairs. The flowers often nod on tall stalks above the foliage, and as the petals curl back, they reveal long stamens tipped with golden pollen.
This species favours drier, more open sites compared to its pink cousin. You’ll find it on sunny rocky outcrops, Garry oak meadows, and woodland slopes. In coastal BC, Erythronium oregonum is an important part of the endangered Garry oak ecosystem, making its conservation all the more essential. E. oregonum is a childhood favourite of mine since I grew up surrounded by Garry Oak meadows. I looked forward to seeing the return of the White Fawn Lily, which we called Easter Lily every spring.
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| Yellow Glacier Lily, Erythronium grandiflorum by Laura Watson |
Erythronium grandiflorum – Yellow Glacier Lily
Common Name: Yellow Glacier Lily
Latin Name: Erythronium grandiflorum
Family: Liliaceae
Habitat: Montane to subalpine meadows, forest openings
Bloom Time: April–June
Range: Interior BC, Alberta, and western mountain ranges
Bright and cheerful, Erythronium grandiflorum lights up alpine meadows and montane slopes with its golden-yellow flowers. Unlike the mottled leaves of the coastal species, its foliage is unmarked and smooth. The flowers bloom shortly after the snow melts, often carpeting hillsides in brilliant yellow.
This glacier lily is beloved by pollinators and is an important early nectar source for bumblebees and emerging insects. Native ungulates like elk and deer also graze their fresh leaves. Hikers in the Rockies and interior ranges are often treated to sweeping displays of this species from late spring into early summer. I first found E. grandiflorum while hiking in Well Gray Park through the Trophy Mountain range. The expansive fields of bright yellow lilies peaking through the melted snow were truly memorable.
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| Fawn Lilies by Laura Watson |
Illustration Tip: Drawing Fawn Lilies
When sketching Erythronium species, focus on the contrast between the curved, reflexed petals and the upright central pistil and stamens. The paired basal leaves (especially in E. revolutum and E. oregonum) often show beautiful mottling that you can capture with a few washes of wet-on-dry watercolour once the leaves are almost complete. If possible, add a dissection of a flower to your composition—perfect for scientific-style layouts.
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| Erythronium oregonum, White Fawn Lily. Laura Watson |
Ecological & Cultural Notes
Fawn lilies are ephemeral, meaning they complete most of their life cycle before the summer canopy and dry weather closes in.
All Erythronium species in BC are sensitive to disturbance. Avoid picking or digging, as their slow-growing bulbs take years to bloom.
Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest traditionally harvested Erythronium bulbs as a food source, roasting or steaming them, though modern foraging is discouraged due to conservation concerns.
Sources
Want to Learn More?
Explore our Featured Native Plants Series and join The Watercolour Garden to learn how to illustrate these beauties in ink and watercolour. Our Fawn Lily Class walks you through painting Erythronium oregonum, Erythronium revolutum and includes extra tips videos as well. Get lifetime access to all my classes with this special one-time payment offer.
Interested in a FREE Guide featuring 10 of my native plants series illustrations?
Download my FREE Native Plants Guide Here
Happy painting,Laura
Laura Watson
Botanical Artist & Instructor
Founder of The Watercolour Garden
www.thewatercolourgarden.com
All illustrations in this article are my original watercolour paintings.
What's your favorite type of Fawn Lily?
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