Trilliums on the Trail

Ephemeral Blooming Beauties

A spring is springing here in the Portland area of Oregon, and we've had so many sunny gorgeous days, I've been trying to get out and hit some of the plentiful city parks and trails. I was pleasantly surprised to find the Trillium grandiflorum in full spring blooming glory today out in the Tyron Creek State Natural Area.

Elegant with a stately presence, these woodland plants are spring ephemerals, producing large flowers that include three petals, three bracts, and three sepals. Plants thrive in wooded areas with shade and dappled sun, as well as moist soil conditions. They appreciate a bit more of the less intense spring sunshine, so you'll often find they thrive better in forests with deciduous trees.

Plants are slow growing and usually take about ten years to start blooming...but are certainly worth the wait! Blooms usually emerge about March through June.

Ecosystem Boosters

Blooming in early spring, Trillium flowers provide an important early season food source for many insects. Ants often spread their seed, and deer much on the plants (so, if you have a lot of deer, be prepared for the Trillium to be a target!

Oh, but YOU shouldn't consume these plants, as the plant parts and the berries are poisonous. Some species of Trillium are also protected so resist the urge to harvest or dig up these plants.

I hope you are also getting out of the house to spend some times outdoors and get a chance to encounter spring ephemerals in your area. Nature (and your garden) is such an antidote to the stresses of the work, which are most certainly plentiful right now...