Native Plants
Plant Database
Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.
Cox, Fran
Trillium chloropetalum
Trillium chloropetalum (Torr.) Howell
Giant wakerobin, Giant trillium
Liliaceae (Lily Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: trch2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
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.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Red , Pink , Yellow , GreenBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Distribution
USA: CA , OR , WANative Distribution: Pierce Co., WA & Willamette V., OR, s. to the n. Sierras & Coastal Ranges of c. CA
Native Habitat: Moist, brushy or wooded slopes
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part ShadeSoil 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...Additional resources
USDA: Find Trillium chloropetalum in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Trillium chloropetalum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Trillium chloropetalum
Metadata
Record Modified: 2014-09-24Research By: TWC Staff