The Noble Queen of my Springtime Forest

While wandering the woodland areas of my little acre I spotted this native perennial friend, just peeking up from her winter rest.

I've had her sneaking onto and over my shaded landscape over the past several years, and I leave her be. I understand that her rhizome has a tradition of support to childbirth, and that the bracts ("leaves") are considered edible, but I also understand that she is still a vulnerable and protected plant throughout some of our eastern North America regions.

That she spreading around my little patch of land is so pleasing. Her blossom is captivating to me and I often find myself sitting with her in bloom ... just witnessing and listening. In this way, she's one my teaching plants. It pleases me too to know that our relationship with the local ants is a sound, for they do so much for our ecosystem, including "planting her seeds" here and there as they collect them for food. I understand some wasps do the same. Gotta love Nature.

As she matures over the coming weeks, she'll produce three bracts, which even I call "leaves" (to the horror of botanists everywhere!). As May nears in my world, each plant will offer a single stalk with a single flower ... each offering three gorgeous, deep-red petals and three pale and subtle green petals.

Who is she?

Can you guess?

She is the noble and humble queen of my little springtime forest. She is Trillium erectum ~ the stunning red trillium.

rose
Walk in the Woods

3 comments:

Unknown said...

I love trillium - they used to grow abundantly behind my parents house and would bloom every year in time for Mother's day. Funny I remember searching for her to pick a few for my mom each year and yet, my mom doesn't remember this at all. Trillium is still dear to my heart for my memories are fond ones.

Doreen Breen said...

Such a wonderful sight and clearly spring announcing - thank you for bringing awareness to my wandering - peace and love

Christine said...

Thanks for this interesting tour! We take a lot for granted.