A low, lily-like plant with elliptic basal leaves which may or may not be maroon-mottled. Sterile 1-leaved plants grow together with fertile 2-leaved plants. A white bell-shaped flower, 1-2 in. long, is borne on 6-12 in. stalk. Petals and sepals are often bent backwards exposing six brown stamens. The name Dogtooth Violet comes from its root, a corm the size of a dogs tooth. Leaves make an attractive ground cover. Plants multiply rapidly by root offshoots and seed, but can require up to six years before blooming.