In the woods, Prairie Trilliums are now at their pinnacle of elegance. Each mature plant has precisely one flower with three Burgundy petals, which cup upward like a goblet.
Spring ephemeral
The flowers shoot up suddenly and bloom early, just as the trees are starting to leaf out. Soon a green ceiling will block the light, and growth will stop. Prairie Trillium is called a “spring ephemeral” because of its brief window of opportunity.
Right under the blossom, three green leaves radiate out from the center. (Technically they are “bracts.”) These are the trillium’s solar panels, which absorb the sun’s energy as it filters through tree branches.
Stages of childhood
Because it has so little time to grow in its short season, a Prairie Trillium takes up to ten years to become mature enough to produce that single blossom. In its first year it makes only one leaf — but enough for the plant to begin collecting mass and strength.
The second year, it may manage two leaves. Then for several years it makes three leaves annually but still doesn’t bloom. At last, at age 7 to 10, it finally makes a blossom.
Why I don’t pick trilliums
Plants that are nibbled in their formative years will not survive. As one of the early collectors and transformers of the sun’s energy, trilliums are nutritionally valuable. Deer sometimes eat the leaves and flowers, destroying an entire trillium colony in one meal. Also, if I were to pick one, the plant would die.
Defensive coloration
Prairie Trilliums defend themselves against deer with a mottled pattern on the leaves. This makes the plants hard to spot on the forest floor.
Underground retreat
By summer, growth is long since completed, and on mature plants the seeds have formed. After the seeds ripen and disperse, the plant completely disappears from view.
However, it is not dead. The roots are waiting for next spring. Me too.
After consuming a sample of current news, I am grateful to learn about the Prairie Trillium.
Is this the one also known as a trout Lilly?
Just love your work, Diane!
Trilliums absolutely thrill me, when I find them on a forest-walk! These and Faery-Lanterns. Do you find them also, Diane? And hiw interesting that Trilliums take TEN years to produce! Gosh, such determination! Thanks for sharing, Diane. 😊