Wildflower Wednesday

On the second month of Wildflower Wednesday (which happens the first Wednesday of every month), I’m going to highlight an entire species and not just one variety. Why? Because this flower is an early bloomer throughout North America, it is the Trillium.

How many Trillium species are there? Forty-three! And thirty-eight of those are found in North America! I saw my first one of the season last week and thought to myself “yay, spring!”

• Scientific Name: Trillium
• Family: Lily (Liliaceae)
• Growing Range: From Georgia and South Carolina to the Western Coastal regions, with the majority of the varieties being in the Eastern regions. They also grow in Asia.
• Blooming Time: Spring
• Bloom Colors: White, Yellow, Pink, Deep Red, White with Pink centers, White with Pink stripes, some start white and turn pink with age
• Height: varies between varieties, fairly low growing, less than 12″
• Width: varies between varieties, often growing in clusters

Trillium ovatum – Western Trillium / Pacific Trillium / Western Wakerobin – Illustration by: Briana Owens

Trillium are divided into two main categories: Sessile and Pedicellate. WHAT in the world does this mean? Check out the images below.

The image on the left shows a SESSILE variety, meaning the flower starts right at the leaves. The image on the right shows a PEDICELLATE variety, meaning the flower is on a stem or pedestal standing above the leaves. Some pedicellate varieties “nod” meaning the stem will often droop, and the flower ends up below the leaves.

Trilliums can get quite complicated, is the stem really a stem, no it is a continuation of the rhizome from beneath the ground. Are the leaves really leaves, no, they are technically bracts, as are the flowers. But when most people write about the Trillium, they stick with what people will know “leaves” and “flowers”. If you really want to get into the nitty gritty botanist/horticulturist fun stuff about the Trillium species visit this link and enjoy 🙂

I encourage you- go explore in the woods, take an afternoon and go to a nature preserve, visit a State or National Park, and see if you can find a Trillium species in bloom this spring. If you do- share your picture with me on social media (tag @babyrangerbooks), or send an email (babyrangerbooks@gmail.com) and show off your Trillium finds!

To date the Trillium flower apears in the Baby Ranger Books : ABC Redwoods, Colors Redwoods, and Exploring Colors Great Smoky Mountains, One Two Three Great Smoky Mountains