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Native Plant Database

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Trillium chloropetalum (Giant wakerobin)
Cox, Fran

Trillium chloropetalum (Torr.) T.J. Howell

Giant wakerobin, Wake robin

Liliaceae (Lily Family)

USDA Symbol: TRCH2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Starting with a single stalk, this clump-forming trillium may eventually bear several 12-20 in. stems. Leaves, in whorls of three, are often mottled with dark blotches. Large, showy, solitary, three-parted flowers rise directly out of the leaves. Color varies from red through yellow-green to white.

This trillium is considered not commercially viable since it takes as long as 5 years to produce plants of flowering size. One should verify that a nursery offering this plant has indeed propagated it and not dug it from the wild.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Red , Pink , Yellow , Green
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: CA , OR , WA
Native Distribution: Pierce Co., WA & Willamette V., OR, s. to the n. Sierras & Coastal Ranges of c. CA
Native Habitat: Moist, brushy or wooded slopes
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Deep, rich, moist, well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: This trillium is considered not commercially viable since it takes as long as 5 years to produce plants of flowering size. One should verify that a nursery offering this plant has indeed propagated it and not dug it from the wild.

Propagation

Description: Rhizome division or seed. Seeds do best when planted outdoors soon after fruits have ripened. Plant seeds 1/4 in. deep in a moist, humusy location. Seedlings take many years to bloom. Divide rhizomes in fall.
Seed Collection: As the 1/2 in. long fruit ripens, the fleshy green oval berry becomes red then purple. Separate the flesh of the mature berry from the egg-shaped seeds and clean them.
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Pictures and sources for black trilliums
June 10, 2008
Do you have pictures and/or sources for Black Trilliums?
view the full question and answer

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Oregon Native Plant Nursery - Woodburn, OR

From the Archive

Wildflower Newsletter 1987 VOL. 4, NO.1 - One Million Bequest Announced, Lady Bird Johnson On Celebrating Four Years, Spri...

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Trillium chloropetalum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Trillium chloropetalum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Trillium chloropetalum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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