My Wildflower Wednesday posts will be late.
But that's okay, isn't it?
Trillium Recurvatum Beck
'Bloody Butcher' or 'Red Trillium'
(clicking on the botanical name will take you to a USDA informational site)
This is a true wildflower - and this particular plant has an interesting history.
But that's okay, isn't it?
Trillium Recurvatum Beck
'Bloody Butcher' or 'Red Trillium'
(clicking on the botanical name will take you to a USDA informational site)
This is a true wildflower - and this particular plant has an interesting history.
This map and information were provided by the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point.
The plant is an erect perennial from 8 - 16" tall with an unpleasant odor. The flower is 3-part, purple, and approximately 1" wide. The petals are slightly longer than the green sepals, blooming in April - May. The leaves are one whorl of three and usually mottled at the top of the stem. The plants thrive with moderate moisture - here seemingly primarily in woodlands.
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In 2007, this little plant was sporting five spotted leaves and five flower petals. I couldn't resist planting it in my woodland garden to see what would happen! In 2008, it had 4 leaves and 4 petals. In 2009, it had the 3 leaves and three petals (as it should). However, in April 2010, it reverted to four leaves and petals. I wonder... will it revert to FIVE again this year??
For more Wildflower Wednesday posts, visit Gail at Clay and Limestone by clicking her link.
Nothing too "shady" about this shade-lover... just intrigue. :-)
9 comments:
Now that's a cool trillium. I do remember when you first wrote about it, but, hadn't remembered it was playing number games with you again:) I leave the WW post up for a few days~Just so everyone who want to may join in. xxgail
That's interesting that your trillium should have different numbers of leaves each year. I wonder why. Don't feel bad about being late--at least you participated; I've forgotten WW the past two months!
Trilliums are one of the flowers I long to grow, Shady Gardener - but I suspect that my summers, when they get tough, will simply be too hot for them. On the other hand, when I look at your map... continental America gets a lot tougher than we do in our temperate high altitude. But tell me - if it comes up five-parted again, won't you have a new species: a pentlium?? ;) Jack
Trillium is the provincal flower of Ontario. So lovely seeing them in the woods white and red ones..
Hi Gail, I couldn't help write about this trillium again. It's something to which I'm looking forward once Spring arrives!
Rose, in reading about these trillium, this is not an unusual occurrence. However, I think it's unusual to change so, every year. :-)
Dave, You have a beautiful blog, and it will be fun to see more of your South Africa posts. The flowers I've seen so far are beautiful!
Hi Rosemary, I look forward to acquiring the white trillium... I'm thinking that my Aunt MEA may have given me one last year... but do you think I was dreaming? ;-)
That's an interesting looking plant. I like the bloom.
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