Welcome To The Hullett Spring Ephemerals Webpage

White Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum) - The official floral emblem of Ontario. (since 1937) The White Trillium is found in rich woodlands and forests. It is a perennial plant that grows to a height of 40 cm. Its leaves are arranged in a whorl of 3. They are stalkless, and round to diamond shaped, 8-12 cm in length.

Trillium flowers are a waxy white colour, are erect, solitary and terminal, they are 5-10 cm across. Trillium flowers are bourne above the leaves on stalks. Flowers consist of 3 broadly ovate, white petals which fade to pink with age. Trillium flowers bloom from April to June and the fruit is a scarlet berry up to 1 cm across.

Populations of white trilliums sometimes have indiviuals with green and white flowers or contorted petals. This is a result of an infection by mycoplasma-like organisms.

The plant tolerates a variety of soil acidity (pH) and can grow in full shade or full sun. A trillium grows from a short, thick rhizome. A rhizome is a prostrate, underground stem. It can take 5-15 years for a trillium to flower from a seed. You can actually tell how old a plant is by counting growth rings on its rhizome. The Trillium can form colonies and blanket a forest floor in a carpet of white.

Trillium flowers produce nectar. A trillium produces a chemical attractant that drives ants into a frenzy and consequently much of the transportation of seeds is done by the ant. Deer and woodchuck also browse on Trilliums.

Medicinal uses for Trilliums in the past have been as an antiseptic or nerve tonic. The root of the plant was used to ease fever and diarrhea. The plant's root is also known as birthroot, since it was also used to ease the pain of childbirth.

NOTE - When viewing wildflowers remember to stay on the trail. DO NOT PICK flowers at Hullett. Take a picture or a sketch! Thank you.

Join us for the Spring Ephemeral Walk - Saturday, April 28th at 9:00 am.