The Trilliums at Eloise Bulter

April and May is the time for Trilliums. There are nine species in the The Eloise Butler Wild-flower Garden. They bloom at different times so you will never see all nine on a single visit. All are found in the woodland part of the Garden.

Only four of the nine are native to Minnesota. All the others are native elsewhere in North America but continue to grow here. Over the 115 years of the Garden’s history there were six other non-native species experimented with by the Curators, but they have not been survivors and are noted below as “historical.”

Trilliums are based on the number 3. There are 3 colored petals, 3 sepals that are usually green but colored on some species. Stamens are in 2 sets of 3, the ovary has 3 united carpels and the big green parts at the top of the stem number 3. They look like leaves but are not, they are extremely large size floral bracts that in the case of Trilliums fulfill the function of leaves. The leafless aerial stem, called a ‘scape’ is the above ground portion of the rhizome. Most plants with scapes also have leaf stalks rising from the root, but not Trilliums. Most flowers are atop the bracts but Nodding Trillium flowers hang beneath them.❖

A close inspection is necessary to identify two of the trilliums - Toadshade (Trillium sessile) and Sweet Betsy (Trillium cuneatum).

Both have large bracts mottled with dark green or brown and upright purple flower petals. Size is the difference. Toadshade’s flower petals are about 1.5 inches high with narrowed bases. The bracts are to 3 inches long with a tapered base. Sweet Betsy has flower petals to 3 inches high with wedge bases and the bracts are to 6 inches long with a wedge base. There are also more detailed differences in the petals, stamens and odor.

Photo Credits
Wax Trillium, Red Trillium, Ozark Trillium - Thomas G. Barnes
Western Trillium, Nevada Native Plants
Rose Trillium, G. A. Cooper
Painted Trillium, Nelson de Baros
All others - G. D. Bebeau

Detailed information and photos for each of the existing Garden Trilliums can be accessed here.