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