Large-Flowered Trillim

By: Kendra Schide

 

The month of April brought us a brilliant rainbow of wildflowers, but none more exciting than our state wildflower, Trillium grandiflorum.  Commonly known as the Large-Flowered Trillium, spotting them on a spring nature hike can be a real highlight of wildflower season! When it spreads itself into a blanket of white, covering the woodland floor, the sight can be just breathtaking!

The word trillium, as you may suspect, points us to look for signs of threes – and yes, this special plant has three leaves, three sepals and three petals. There are 44 native species of trillium in our state but only the Large-Flowered Trillium is bestowed the honor of being our state wildflower!

The park district’s patch of this beautiful ephemeral lies in Sweet Arrow Reserve, our 265-acre nature park on Little Sugarcreek Road. Follow the blue trail and look closely for a hidden area of white. We have been nurturing this sacred patch for over five years. Our wonderful volunteer naturalists have helped to pull out invasive garlic mustard and honeysuckle that chokes out this native and sensitive flower. Along with our help and protection, the patch has grown to over 500 plants displaying its full-blooming glory late in the month of April.

Please remember that all plants and animals are protected in our parks. Please do not pick the wildflowers or try to transplant them, leave them for others to see too. Enjoy them and marvel in their splendor but remember to use your eyes only to observe them so that this special wildflower and others will continue to flourish in our park district.

Are you interested in finding and identifying wildflowers?  Check out this handy field guide from our friends at Ohio Department of Natural Resources!  You can also give them a call at 1-800-WILDLIFE for your FREE copy!

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