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Common Name: Wakerobin

General Information

Trillium ovatum is a

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Western N. America - Montana to British Columbia, south to California and Colorado.

Habitat

Rich woodlands[]. Damp woods or boggy areas in partial shade, from low valleys to elevations of 2,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.40 m

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[]. Grows well in open woodland[]. Succeeds in deep shade[]. Succeeds in a sunny position if the soil does not dry out[].
Any transplanting is best done whilst the plants are in flower[].
Plants can flower in two years from seed[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[], though slugs are very fond of the leaves[].

Edible Uses

The leaves are sometimes cooked for greens[].

Medicinal

A decoction of the fresh or dried powdered root is used as a treatment for sore eyes[]. The fresh root juice can be dripped into an afflicted eye[]. The juice of the plant can be applied externally as a treatment for boils[]. A poultice of the root can be used as a treatment for boils[].
The thick underground root stalks were used by some native North American Indian tribes during childbirth[].

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.