Giant Purple Wakerobin

Redwood Flowers Types of Lilies Types of Flowers

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

© 2008 Patricia A. Michaels