It is spring and the Trilliums are out. This picture was taken just outside the town of Harrisburg, Oregon in early spring.
The trillium or western wake-robin as it is sometimes known is an attractive perennial wildflower suitable for shady woodland gardens. Plants arise early in spring, flower, and typically disappear by midsummer. The single stem measures 10-30 cm high and usually has 3 (occasionally 4-5) leaves at midstem or higher. Individual leaves are broadly ovate to deltoid-ovate in shape and measure 5-15 cm long and nearly as wide.
The flower sits atop a 2-8 cm stalk. The 3 sepals are green and range from 1.5-6 cm long. They are narrowly oblong to oblong-elliptic in shape. The 3 (occasionally 4-5) white petals are 3-7 cm long and up to 3 cm wide. They frequently age to a lavender, reddish or pinkish color (See photo above and at right.). This color change may signal insects that pollination has already occurred. The petals are lance-ovate to elliptic in shape. The filaments of the 6 stamens are 3-6 mm long and the cream to light yellow anthers measure 6-14 mm long. The capsule is broadly ovoid and narrowly winged. It commonly turns purplish red as it ages.