a genus of herbaceous bulbous plants of the family Liliaceae. The bulb is ovoid and cylindrical; the stalk is usually short (10–30 cm, rarely up to 60 cm) with two unmottled or mottled basal leaves and one or several nodding flowers. The perianth segments, which are pinkish purple, yellow, or white, are recurved. There are approximately 25 species, found primarily in the mountainous regions of North America. Some species are also found in the mountains of Western Europe (Erythronium dens canis), the Caucasus (E. caucasicum), Southern Siberia (E. sibiricum), and Japan. Some species are used as ornamentals in gardens and parks. They are often grown in special gardens of alpine vegetation.