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Common Name: White Trillium

General Information

Trillium grandiflorum is a

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Eastern N. America - Maine to Ontario, south to Georgia and Arkansas.

Habitat

Rich woods and thickets, usually on limestone[]. Rich deciduous or mixed coniferous-deciduous upland woods, floodplains, roadsides at elevations of 20 - 700 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.40 m
Pollinators	Flies

Cultivation Details

Prefers a deep well-drained woodland or humus-rich soil in a somewhat shady position that remains moist in the summer[, ]. Prefers a neutral to slightly acid soil but succeeds in acid or limey soils[]. Grows well in open woodland[, ]. Succeeds in deep shade[]. Succeeds in a sunny position if the soil does not dry out[, ].
A very ornamental and long-lived plant[, , ].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[], though slugs are very fond of the leaves[].
A polymorphic species, it is very subject to mutation[]. Some named varieties have been selected for their ornamental value[].
Any transplanting is best done whilst the plants are in flower[].
Plants can flower in two years from seed[].

Edible Uses

Young leaves - cooked and used like spinach[, , , ]. A famine food, it is only used when all else fails[].

Medicinal

The root is diuretic[]. The raw root is grated and applied as a poultice to the eye in order to reduce swelling[, ]. The raw root s also used as a poultice on aching rheumatic joints[].
A decoction of the root bark can be used as drops in treating a sore ear[].
The grated root is steeped in water and drunk as a tea for the treatment of cramps[].
The grated root is simmered in water and drunk for the treatment of irregular menses[, ].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a shaded cold frame as soon as it is ripe[, ]. Stored seed should be sown in late winter or early spring. Seed usually germinates within 1 - 3 months at 15°c. Another report says that seeds produce a root after the first cold stratification but no shoot is produced until after a second winter[], whilst yet another report says that the seed can take 3 years to germinate[]. The seedlings are prone to damp off and must therefore be watered with care and given plenty of fresh air[]. The young plants need to be overwintered in a cold frame for the first year and can then be planted out in late spring. It is very important that the pots become neither too dry nor too wet[].
Division with care when the plants die down after flowering[]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the following spring.