Trillium

With the exception of some states in the desert Southwest, all states have native Trillium species. The White Trillium, for example, is a common East Coast species, and the state flower of Ohio.

All trillium rank among the easiest of flowers to identify. The word trillium literally translates into three lily. They are lily plants characterized by three leaves and flowers with three petals.

Trilliums commonly get described as low growing, ground cover plants found in forested areas.

The top picture shows the Trillium parviflorum, or Small-flowered Trillium, a native of Oregon and Washington state, known for its mottled leaves.

Western Trillium (Trillium ovatum), also known as the Western or Pacific Wakerobin, grow abundantly on the floors of many Western forests.

A spring hike always means seeing the plant's color changing flowers. Initially they bloom white, slowly turning a shade of pink or red over time.

Picture number two shows a specimen with a pink version of the flower. The leaves, not fully shown, are a solid green color.

They are early bloomers at lower elevations. At higher elevations they can be seen blooming during the summer months.

Trillium kurabayashii (top picture), better known as Giant Purple Wakerobin is practically a redwood exclusive species. Its natural range extends little beyond the coastal forest areas of Northern California and Southern Oregon.

The large mottled leaves and purple flowers make it easy to identify once discovered. Spotting it is a more difficult task. It's not an abundant species, the third picture shows a specimen growing along a trail in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.

© 2008-2011 Patricia A. Michaels