Nodding trillium

This beautiful flower hides itself. From the top you only see three pointed, green leaves. The flower is on a short stem which curves over so that the flower hangs underneath the leaves. Hence the name nodding trillium (Trillium Cernuum).

Short-lived excitement

In April I saw this trillium in the park. I had never seen a trillium with such short, flat petals. So, I thought I had added a new species to my plant list. However, when i returned just two days later, the petals had grown and were curved back like the main picture above. All I had seen was a nodding trillium which had just opened.

Don’t pick the flowers

When you see this beautiful flower you will want to show it to your family and friends. If you pluck it you will kill the whole plant. The single stem, three leaves and flower are the entire above-ground plant. Although it grows from an underground rhizome, this also dies and cannot regenerate a new plant. So, treat your friends or family to a walk in the beautiful park and show them the living plant.

Another trillium in the park

The most common trillium is ted trillium (Trillium Erectum). As the Latin name indicates, this holds its flower erect above the three leaves for all the world to see its beauty. I have seen just one of these in Providence Park. See the blog post “Red Trillium”.