dogtooth violet

dogtooth violet
1. Also called adder's-tongue, trout lily. 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.
[1620-30]

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Any of the approximately 20 species of spring-blooming plants that make up the genus Erythronium, in the lily family, all native to North America except for the purple-or pink-flowered dogtooth violet of Europe (E. dens-canis).

The nodding flowers, usually one to a plant or in small clusters, range in colour from white to purple. The two leaves, borne at the base of the plant, often are covered with white or brown spots. The common dogtooth violet of North America, E. americanum, has yellow flowers and brown-mottled leaves. Several species are grown as rock-garden ornamentals.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Dogtooth violet — Violet Vi o*let, n. [F. violette a violet (cf. violet violet colored), dim. of OF. viole a violet, L. viola; akin to Gr. ?. Cf. {Iodine}.] 1. (Bot.) Any plant or flower of the genus {Viola}, of many species. The violets are generally low,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Dogtooth violet — Dogtooth Dog tooth , n.; pl. {Dogteeth}. 1. See {Canine tooth}, under {Canine}. [1913 Webster] 2. (Arch.) An ornament common in Gothic architecture, consisting of pointed projections resembling teeth; also called {tooth ornament}. [1913 Webster]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • dogtooth violet — ☆ dogtooth violet n. any of a genus (Erythronium) of small plants of the lily family, esp. an American, early spring flower ( E. americanum) with two mottled leaves and a yellow flower, or a European plant ( E. denscanis) with a purple or rose… …   English World dictionary

  • dogtooth violet — noun perennial woodland spring flowering plant; widely cultivated • Syn: ↑dogtooth, ↑dog s tooth violet • Hypernyms: ↑liliaceous plant • Hyponyms: ↑white dogtooth violet, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • dogtooth violet — /ˌdɒgtuθ ˈvaɪələt/ (say .dogtoohth vuyuhluht) noun 1. a bulbous plant, Erythronium dens canis, of Europe, bearing purple flowers. 2. any of several American plants of the same genus. Also, dog s tooth violet, dogviolet …  

  • dogtooth violet — noun Date: 1629 any of a genus (Erythronium) of small spring flowering bulbous herbs of the lily family …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • dogtooth violet — dog′tooth vi′olet n. pln any of several small lilies of the genus Erythronium, having two mottled leaves and a nodding yellow or purplish flower, esp E. americanum[/ex] Also called fawn lily trout lily Etymology: 1620–30 …   From formal English to slang

  • white dogtooth violet — noun North American dogtooth having solitary white flowers with yellow centers and blue or pink exteriors • Syn: ↑white dog s tooth violet, ↑blonde lilian, ↑Erythronium albidum • Hypernyms: ↑dogtooth violet, ↑dogtooth, ↑dog s tooth violet …   Useful english dictionary

  • Violet — Vi o*let, n. [F. violette a violet (cf. violet violet colored), dim. of OF. viole a violet, L. viola; akin to Gr. ?. Cf. {Iodine}.] 1. (Bot.) Any plant or flower of the genus {Viola}, of many species. The violets are generally low, herbaceous… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Dogtooth — Dog tooth , n.; pl. {Dogteeth}. 1. See {Canine tooth}, under {Canine}. [1913 Webster] 2. (Arch.) An ornament common in Gothic architecture, consisting of pointed projections resembling teeth; also called {tooth ornament}. [1913 Webster] {Dogtooth …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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