Erythronium Oregonum: A Beacon of Spring

It was not until my most recent hike here in Eugene that I truly knew spring had arrived. My hiking partners and I found ourselves on an isolated trail far off to the north side of Mount Pisgah, which had led us through a clearing of utter green. The color green is a wonderful thing in late winter here, as its true vibrancy finally comes out after the preceding months of gray. A proper sense of outdoor color deserts us Oregonians abruptly after fall, and the only frame of reference we are left with for beauty is a mélange of gray and green as the winter sky contrasts the evergreens.

The result, however, when spring finally arrives is a glorious assault on our pupils as we see new colors for the first time. This is the essence of rebirth. I personally had allowed the sight of flowers, the smell of pollen and the sound of insects to evanesce from my memory during this winter, and I was jarred back to total recall by our first sighting of the beautiful native Erythronium Oregonum.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/curtdeath/ / CC BY-ND 2.0

(Photo: Curt Deatherage)

Known more commonly as the Oregon Fawn Lily, the pure-white of this trilliumesque wildflower is a call to arms for the residents of Eugene to prepare for spring. From two spotted green leaves grows the beautiful lily, its petals furled upward in a gravity-defying display of the plant’s insides. And while most can appreciate true beauty, rarely does the opportunity arise for us to witness such a perfect example at such a perfect time. As winter draws to a close, we need a reminder of the vivacious nature our state holds, and Erythronium Oregonum is that reminder. So next time you are out and about, study the ground closely for signs of this diamond in the rough.