Siberian Fawn Lily

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Siberian Fawn Lily

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Erythronium dens-canis var. parviflorum
• Erythronium dens-canis var. sibiricum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Liliales. Finally, it is a member of the family Liliaceae and is situated within the genus Erythronium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the vast and diverse landscapes of Siberia. Within this massive region, it can be found growing in the Altay mountains and throughout the Krasnoyarsk territories. Its presence extends further into the Tuva region and across the expansive plains of West Siberia. Beyond the borders of Russia, the species also populates parts of Central Asia. Specifically, its geographical range includes the territory of Kazakhstan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Erythronium sibiricum is defined by its presence across a diverse range of landscapes, primarily occupying forest edges, various types of meadows (including wet meadows), mountainous regions, stony places, and tundra environments. This species exhibits a significant vertical distribution, thriving at elevations ranging from a minimum of 1100 m AMSL to a maximum of 2500 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range centered around 1800 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1100 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest edges, meadows, meadows: wet, mountains, stony places, tundra

Life history

The life history of Erythronium sibiricum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its long-term survival through multiple growing seasons. It functions as a geophyte, relying on specialized underground storage organs to endure unfavorable environmental conditions. Furthermore, its biological classification as a cryptophyte indicates that its regenerative buds are protected beneath the soil surface or at the soil level, a strategy that facilitates its persistence in its natural habitat.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Erythronium sibiricum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. It functions as an independent, terrestrial plant, meaning it does not rely on other organisms for nutrients nor does it grow upon other plants. In terms of stature, the species is relatively low-growing and self-supporting, with a plant height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.3 m, maintaining a mean height of approximately 0.18 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.3 m

Plant height mean:

0.18 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Erythronium sibiricum is closely tied to its morphological development, particularly regarding the structural dimensions of its foliage which support its metabolic processes. The leaves exhibit significant variability in size, with a mean leaf length of 8.5 cm, though individual specimens can range from a minimum of 7 cm to a maximum of 10 cm. The width of the leaves follows a similar physiological spectrum, maintaining a minimum width of 1 cm and reaching a maximum width of 2.5 cm. These leaf dimensions play a critical role in the plant's ability to manage light interception and gas exchange during its active growing season.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length mean:

8.5 cm

Leaf length min:

7 cm

Leaf width max:

2.5 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Erythronium sibiricum has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include E1P, ESBP.

E1P

1. Journal of medicinal food

ESBP

1. Journal of medicinal food

Conditions

Erythronium sibiricum has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include airway remodeling, asthma.

Airway remodeling

1. Journal of medicinal food

Asthma

1. Journal of medicinal food