I'll ask swampdonkey..

[Jeff]

He knows everything that grows in my forest type. 

Bill, what is this emerging from my U.P. property?

[wdmn]

Trout lily, Erythronium genus, probably Erythronium americanum but it could be the less common Erythronium albidum... in any case a very nice spring wildflower.

[mesquite buckeye]

Those were common wildflowers in NW Ohio. One of my mom's favorites. ;D

[SwampDonkey]

Yip

Star flower, and trilliums should be soon up to. ;D

[Jeff]

Thanks guys!   I googled it. What a very interesting plant!

http://www.ediblewildfood.com/trout-lily.aspx

[Corley5]

They're called Adder's Tongue around here  ;) ;D http://www.friendsofthewildflowergarden.org/pages/plants/yellowtroutlily.html

[SwampDonkey]

My uncle always called them that to. But he and I disagreed on a few things. :D

[Autocar]

I growed up calling them deer tounge.

[enigmaT120]

My wife calls ours leopard lilies, but I've never looked it up.  They apparently aren't as cool as my fairy slipper orchids, but they're pretty.

[Jeff]

The front of my land is just covered with them. I wish I could be there when they blossom. I'll NOT be calling them Adder's tongue. >:( ;)

[Shotgun]

Jeff, another Michigan common name is "trout lily".  No doubt you'd prefer that to adder tongue.
:D


Edit: Well, I just read the whole thread, and I find that I'm late to the party. You knew trout lily already, Jeff.  They're very common in Michigan woods.

[SwampDonkey]

Yup, they are up here as well, and noticed the purple trilliums up today when painting the property lines. Flowers not quite out, but In a day or two.