Field ManualAll plants

Dog's tooth violet
Erythronium dens-canis
Family: Liliaceae
Pet & Human Safety
People: No hazard foundPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them
Neither ASPCA nor NC State lists a pet-safety verdict for this plant. Not listed means no verdict was found, not that it's safe. Keep pets from eating it and call a vet or the ASPCA Poison Control line if a pet seems unwell.
PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.
Poison control
If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.
Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.
Naturalist Lore
Historical Background & Breeding Lore
The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.
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- Hardiness zones
Suitable for zones 3 to 8 (North American Rock Garden Society); Memorial University Botanical Garden says most Erythronium are hardy to zone 3.
- Light
Shade to part-shade; ideal under deciduous shrubs or in high-canopy hardwood forest (NARGS).
- Mature size
Single flower up to 3 cm across; the species is among the shortest Erythronium (NARGS and Memorial University). No plant height figure was read.
How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.
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Botanical Anatomy & Characteristics
How the flowers and leaves are built and which pollinators visit, where we have them.
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Field Doctor
What can go wrong with this plant and what to do about it, where we have them.
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Vintage Plates
Old botanical drawings from public libraries are in the app, for plants where we have them.
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