Avalanche Lily (Erythronium grandiflorum) Seed Germination Experiment

The Avalanche lily (Erythronium grandiflorum) is a culturally significant plant of the Liliaceae family
harvested by indigenous people throughout western North America. The corms and cormels of the
Avalanche lily provide an essential source of starch in the diet of indigenous communities to give caloric
sustenance throughout the winter months (Turner, 2000). The primary goal of this study is to determine
the Avalanche lily's ideal growing conditions in a controlled environment to increase its germination
rate. Seeds were germinated under experimental conditions of varying light exposure, temperature
differences, seed elevation differences, and different cold stratification periods. The results of this
experiment determine some of the most important variables in determining the germination success of
the avalanche lily, such as temperature and elevation of seeds collected. This is important in indigenous
resurgence and working towards revitalizing a culturally important plant across indigenous communities
in British Columbia.