Mar 22 • General discussion
Trout Lily, Cutleaf Toothwort
We inherited some mountain land recently, and today had a chance to visit on a gorgeous early spring day. A couple of early-spring foragables we found are Trout Lily (with the yellow flower) and Cutleaf Toothwort.
I have not tried eating either plant, but my understanding is that Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum) leaves can be quite tasty, though some people have a sensitivity that can make the leaves an emetic (causing vomiting). I have no idea how common this sensitivity is, nor how dose-dependent it may be. So if/when I try this, it will be with a great deal of caution. Evidently, they can also prevent pregnancy, but that's not a concern for me.
Evidently Trout Lilies are often found in the same habitat as ramps, so I will be looking for ramps on the property this year.
Cutleaf Toothwort (Cardamine concatenata) is supposed to have a flavor between mustard greens and horseradish. I've just learned this since returning home, otherwise I would've tried this one while we were there. The plant is a spring ephemeral (growing leaves and flowers and going to seed all before the trees form a leaf cover), so I may not get back in time this year to catch this one before it's gone. But now that I know about it, I can try it next year.
I'm sure Melanie knows a lot more about these.
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Trout Lily, Cutleaf Toothwort
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