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Many types of Trilliums appear
throughout our area in early spring. The flower symbolizes the early arrival of robins-
‘wake-robin' is a common name. Perennial native to Eastern N. America and Canada,
Maine to Ontario, south to Georgia and Arkansas. Found growing in rich woods and thickets.
Cultivation: Trillium is fairly easy to grow, it prefers a deep well-drained woodland or
humus-rich soil in a shady position that remains moist in the summer. Transplants from the
wild are best, but can be propagated by seed though it may take 2 years to germinate and
another two years to bloom. Trillium is a very ornamental and long-lived plant. It is said
to be a polymorphic species and is very subject to mutation. Trillium grows from a short
thick root or rhizome. The long stem is tinged with red, round and smooth, unbranched,
growing up to 2 feet high. Atop the stem there is a whorl of 3 broadly ovate, short
petiole, wavy-edged and dark green (sometimes mottled) leaves. This whorl of leaves can
reach as much as 10 to 12 inches in diameter . The flower perches above the leaves on a 2
to 3 inch petiole or small stem, or is sometimes sessile (having no stem) as with the Toad
shade Trillium or the Prairie Trillium, and may be dark red to pink or white or even both,
but always with 3 petals and 3 green sepals, forming a star shape. According to
ginsengers, this group of flowers, as well as Jack in the Pulpit; are good indicators of
soil favorable for growing wild ginseng.
Flowers bloom from April to June. Gather the young
edible leaves before flowers appear and the roots in spring and summer. Dry root for later
herb use.
Properties: Trillium is edible and medicinal, it has
a long history of use by Native Americans. The young edible unfolding leaves are an
excellent addition to salad tasting somewhat like sunflower seeds. The leaves can also be
cooked as a pot herb. The root is used as an alternative medicine
and is antiseptic, antispasmodic, diuretic, emmenagogue (to promote
menstruation), and ophthalmic. The roots, fresh or dry, may be boiled in milk and used for
diarrhea and dysentery. The raw root is grated and applied as a poultice to the eye in
order to reduce swelling, or on aching rheumatic joints. The leaves were boiled in lard
and applied to ulcers as a poultice, and to prevent gangrene. An infusion of the root is
used in the treatment of cramps and a common name for the plant, ‘birthroot',
originated from its use to promote menstruation. A decoction of the root bark can be used
as drops in treating earache. Constituents found in the volatile and fixed oils are,
tannic acid, saponin, a glucoside resembling convallamarin, sulphuric acid and potassium
dichromate, gum, resin, and starch.
Folklore: Used to facilitate
childbirth, and to treat other female problems by the women of many Native American
tribes. Trillium root was considered to be a sacred female herb and they only spoke of it
to their medicine women.
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(Toad Shade Trillium)
Photo by Karen Shelton
Copyright 2000 |
TRY THESE RECIPES
Medicinal drink: Add 1 tsp. herb decoction to 1 cup
warm milk, take at bedtime for diarrhea.
Pot herb: Gather young unfolding leaves boil or fry
and season to taste.
Article by Deb Jackson & Karen Bergeron
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