Corn lily, Clinton’s lily, Cow-tongue
Clintonia borealis
Family: Liliaceae
What it is like
A herb with rhizomes or underground stems. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 50 cm tall. The leaves are at the base. There are 2-5 leaves that are large and have a pointed tip. They are dark green. They are 10-35 cm long and 5-15 cm wide and widest near the middle. There are 3-8 yellow flowers. They are bell shaped. They are in a cluster at the top of a leafless stem. The fruit are round and bright blue berries. They are 6-10 mm across. The seeds are an irregular shape. They are a shiny brown.
There are 5 Clintonia species. Also put in the family Uvulariaceae.
Where it is found
It is a cool temperate plant. It grows in cool woods and open slopes on mountains. It grows in hardiness zones 2-7.
Countries/locations it is found in
Canada, North America, USA
How it is used for food
The young leaves are eaten in salads. The young leaves can be boiled and served with butter. Caution: Only eat the leaves and not any other part of the plant.
Edible parts
Leaves
How it is grown
Plants can be grown by seeds or by division of the roots.
Its other names
Local names
Bluebead, Speckled wood-lily, Straw lily