Trillium flowers derive their generic name from the fact that all of their parts are arranged in threes: three leaves, three petals, three sepals, and a three-parted stigma.

These flowers are often called "Wake Robin" which probably derives because these flowers appear at an early date. As a matter of fact however, trillium flowers do not bloom until weeks after the robins have returned to the northern states.

Large-Flowered Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum, picture left) is the largest of the genus in all respects and is also one of the most common species of this flower. It can be looked for in just about any damp, rich woods during May or June. Usually, trillium grow in colonies and it is truly an exception when one finds a single flower without others about. The stem of this species is from 10 to 18 inches in length; the waxy-white flower petals are from 1 1/2 to 2 inches. As the flower grows older, their petals change to a delicate pink and they tend to curl backward.

Nodding Trillium (Trillium cernuum) is quite similar to, but smaller than the Large-Flowered Trillium. Its blossom is either white or pink and is on a curved pedicel that often bends so as to place the flower beneath the whorl of leaves; the edges of the petals are quite wavy. This demure, bashful little flower is found Newfoundland and Manchester south to Pennsylvania and Michigan.

Painted Trillium (Trillium undulatum) has pointed, wavy-edged, waxy-white flower petals with crimson V-shaped marks at the bases. The ovate leaves are sharply pointed and petioled. It is a common flower from Quebec to Ontario and southward.

The painted Trillium is usually regarded as the most beautiful of the genus. Certainly, it is the most abundant. It is more gregarious than others, and we often find large beds of them with their dainty, waxy-white, wavy-edged flowers swaying above the deep green groundcover formed by their broad, whorled leaves. The flowers grow most profusely along the banks of woodland brooks and in cool, moist glens. You will find the flowers most abundant during the latter part of May soon after the wood thrush, that frequents the same locality, makes his appearance from the South. These flowers are always associated (in my mind) with these birds, as I have often watched as they daintily threaded their way among the numerous plant stalks, entirely concealed above by the numerous leaves, and visible only by placing the head close to the ground.