dogtooth violet

American  

[dawg-tooth vahy-uh-lit, dog-] / ˈdɔgˌtuθ ˈvaɪ ə lɪt, ˈdɒg- /

noun

1. Also called trout lily.  Also called adder's-tongue.  any of several North American lilies of the genus Erythronium, having nodding flowers and usually mottled leaves.

2. a related Old World plant, E. dens-canis, having purplish flowers.

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dogtooth violet British  

noun

1. Also called: adders-tongue.   fawn lily.  a name for various plants of the liliaceous genus Erythronium, esp the North American E. americanum, with yellow nodding flowers, or the European E. dens-canis, with purple flowers

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Etymology

Origin of dogtooth violet

First recorded in 1620–30

Example Sentences

And one tall yellow flower was called a dogtooth violet but was different and was really an adder’s-tongue.

From "Miracles on Maple Hill" by Virginia Sorensen

There were still piles of dogtooth violet bulbs and Solomon’s seal roots and a few dried apples.

From "My Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George

We ate smoked fish for dinner with boiled dogtooth violet bulbs.

From "My Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George

A mound of sort of fluffy mashed cattail tubers, mushrooms, and dogtooth violet bulbs, smothered in gravy thickened with acorn powder.

From "My Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George

It is the only locality in which I have found the dogtooth violet in bloom, and the best place I know of to gather arbutus.

From Wake-Robin by Burroughs, John