Restless Native

This time of year, I am sometimes asked "what's the first wildflower to bloom around here?" In a way it is a bit of a trick question because the answer is variable, depending on where you live and at what elevation. Here in western Oregon, if you are in the valley, in a forest, and not near the ocean, the correct answer is probably the strikingly attractive Western Trillium (Trillium ovatum). This year we spotted them blooming on March 19th in the Jenkins Estate forest. The date seems to fall in line with the past four years we have posted on this blog, in spite of weather conditions.

Western Trillium with Sword Fern

In temperate regions of North America there are about 40 species of native trillium. Because they bloom in early spring, roughly at the same time as the American Robin appears, they are also called "wake-robin." Some species are endangered and in Oregon, Michigan, and Minnesota it is illegal to pick or otherwise destroy a native trillium. This is due to the fragile nature of the plant and its inability to reproduce once it has been disturbed. And as recently as 2013, a new species of yellow trillium was discovered and classified in eastern Tennessee, now called Trillium tennesseense.

Older bloom turning pinkish.

And speaking of reproduction, trillium are rhizome-based plants that spread underground given the right conditions (damp loose soil, forest floor, plenty of shade). Also, their seeds are captured and transported by hungry ants, back to the nest. Here the seed cover is eaten by ants and larvae, with the seeds left in the ground. Some will sprout, creating a new plant. The new plant can take up to a year to emerge from the soil. It is interesting to note that several other forest floor native plants spread by the ant transport method as well, including wild ginger, pacific bleeding hearts, and the curious inside-out flower.

Trillium Cluster

After pollination, some Trillium ovatum flower petals will change from white to pinkish-purple. The change in color is probably due to the plant producing anthrocyanins when stressed from cold, drought, or age. This color change (shown below) should not be confused with the Purple Trillium (Trillium erectum) species that blooms a dark purple flower and grows in the Northeastern U.S.

Aging Trillium ovatum coloration

To get more immersed in the trillium moment, plan a visit to the 37th annual Trillium Festival at Tryon Creek State Natural Area on April 1st and 2nd. Expand your backyard habitat by purchasing native plants at the festival as well.