Western Trillium
Western Trillium is a perennial herb which can be spotted in bloom in the southwestern coastal areas of BC
- Thick, fleshy rhizomes support stiff stems.
- Stems are unbranched and smooth.
- Three egg-shaped smooth leaves grow on the stem.
- No basal leaves.
- Star-shaped white flowers with 3 petals emerge on short stalks.
- The inflorescence will have 3 leaf-like sepals, 6 stamens, and one pistil.
- The petals turn from white-pink to purple with age.
All photos by the author. Click an image for a lightbox view.
- Berry-like capsules form after flowering.
- Capsules are usually yellow or green.
- Many sticky seeds are produced each year.
- There are two varieties in BC. Trillium ovatum can be spotted on the Lower Mainland, Gulf Islands, and the Georgia Strait side of Vancouver Island. A pinkish variety may be spotted on the West Coast of Vancouver Island.
- It may also be called western wakerobin, Pacific Trillium, or western white triullium and it is very similar to Trillium grandiflorum. There are lots of variations in Triulliums found in BC.
We ran into trillium in abundance in the Courtenay area in spring.
The park southeast of Harrison in the filtered light woods has a lot, and some really big, tall ones. jan a birdman 🌷🦉