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Home  /  Plants  /  Budburst Species  /  Trillium ovatum

COMMON NAME

Pacific trillium

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Trillium ovatum

ALSO KNOWN AS

Western trillium

Plant family

(Melanthiaceae)

Plant group

Wildflowers and Herbs

Pacific trillium is the most common and largest trillium species in the west. Each plant has three large egg-shaped leaves and one large 3-petaled white to pink flower attached to an erect stem above the leaves.
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OBSERVERS
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OBSERVATIONS
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Identification hints

Pacific trillium is the most common and largest trillium species in the west. Each plant has three large egg-shaped leaves and one large 3-petaled white to pink flower attached to an erect stem above the leaves.
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Did you know?

It is said that Paiute native Americans of central Oregon, as well as other tribes in the western U.S., have used root poultices of Trillium ovatum as a wash for sore eyes.
DISTRIBUTION IN TH U.S.
California , Colorado , Idaho , Montana , Oregon , Washington , Wyoming
HABITAT
Generally prefers moist and shaded habitats at low to mid elevations, associated with forest understory, especially redwood and mixed-evergreen forests.
ATTRIBUTES
Leaves
Typically whorled in 3, at the top of an otherwise naked stem. The leaves are smooth, oval to diamond shaped, 3 to 5 in (7 to 12 cm) by 2 to 8 in (5 to 20 cm). Main veins prominent, leaves can be blotched and mottled.
Flowers
There are three petals which are generally whitish but can vary to pink, purple or dark red and can have pink/blush markings. The petals are lance-shaped and there are three lance-shaped, green sepals (petal like structures), as well. The flowers are solitary, stalked, facing upward or nodding and are odorless.
Fruits
A ripe berry is small, red, to redpurple in color, and plump.
Bloom Time
Early to mid-spring.

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