Western Trillium (Trillium ovatum)

This three petal, three sepal, three leaved flower is one of the first to arrive in the spring, signaling the end of winter and the beginning of my favorite season! Its habitat range extends from northern Washington through the Willamette valley of Oregon. They are commonly found in moist to wet conifer forests, near stream banks, and in open meadows with mossy substrates. The flowers emerge bright white and slowly fade into a pale pink as the season progresses. After it’s pollinated, it produces numerous green, oval-shaped seeds that resemble berries. The seeds are slightly sticky and rich in nutritious oils, which attract ants who play an important role in the dispersal of seeds through the forest 🐜 I found these flowers in the hoytarboretum under some invasive ivy in the Japanese larch forest. I was super grateful to work with the Tuesday work crew and save some of these awesome flowers!