Redwood Trillium

Redwood Flowers Types of Flowers Milkmaids Pink Flowering Currant Red Waxy Cap Redwood Sorrell Salmonberry Swamp Lantern

Trillium are flowering ground plants found on forest floors across the United States.

Redwood forests are no exception. Two native trillium species bloom during the spring, adding their own touch of color to an otherwise green forest floor.

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 top picture was taken on a trail in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.

Western Trillium (Trillium ovatum), also known as the Western or Pacific Wakerobin, are found in high numbers on the floors of most, if not all, redwood groves.

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.

The second picture shows a pink version of the flower. The leaves, not fully shown, are a solid green color.

© 2008 Patricia A. Michaels