About Erythronium propullans A.Gray
Erythronium propullans A.Gray is a perennial plant that grows from a small bulb. Its flowers are smaller than those of Erythronium albidum, often measuring only 1 centimeter long and carrying a pinkish tint. Its mature fruits are also smaller than E. albidum's, and mature nodding fruits. Unlike E. albidum, which produces offshoots from the bulb itself, E. propullans grows offshoots from the stem above the bulb. Blooming E. propullans plants produce one underground stolon from the midway point of their stem, and this stolon goes on to grow a new bulb. Non-blooming plants produce 1 to 3 stolons directly from their bulbs, with each stolon ending in a new cloned individual. This species occurs only in two counties in Minnesota, and is the only plant species that is strictly endemic to the state. It is typically a woodland species, most often found growing on north-facing slopes located above or near streambeds. It grows in areas that have dense summer shade, and completes its entire growing period early in the year before trees grow their full canopy of leaves. Research indicates that E. propullans rarely reproduces by seed on its own. It is highly dependent on vegetative reproduction, or limited cross-pollination with Erythronium albidum, a factor that limits the species' population growth and spread.
