Trout Lily

The last time I visited my local patch, I found a group of trout lilies blooming near the wet woods. I am not sure if these were planted or if they just spread there on their own. My guess is the latter since they do not seem to be arranged in any formal manner. Trout lily is a flower of early spring. Its name comes from the mottling on its leaves, which is thought to resemble the speckled sides of a trout. The elongated shape of the leaf probably adds to its trout-like appearance. The plant is low to the ground, so it may be easy to miss. They usually grow in groups, with numerous plants spread over a small area, only some of which are blooming.