avalanche lily
noun
Meaning
A perennial wildflower native to subalpine and alpine meadows of western North America, known for its white, lily-like flowers that appear shortly after snowmelt.
Examples
- The slopes were carpeted in a brilliant display of avalanche lily blooms.
- Botanists studied how the timing of snowmelt affects the growth cycle of the avalanche lily.
Synonyms: dogtooth violet, Erythronium montanum