White trilium, Wake robin, White wake robin, Grand trillium, Showy trillium, Large-flowered trillium
Trillium grandiflorum
Family: Melanthiaceae
What it is like
A perennial plant. It grows 30-45 cm high and wide. The leaves are dark green and form a mound. They are in rings of three. The flowers are white, pink, purple or yellow with distinct veins. The sepals are green. The flowers are almost triangular in outline with 3 petals. The petals have wavy edges and are curved backwards. The flowers are 5-8 cm wide.
There are about 46 Trillium species. Also put in the family Trilliaceae.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It is frost hardy. It grows in rich, moist woodlands. It can grow in shade. It needs moist, rich, well drained soil. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, Britain, Canada, Europe, North America, USA
How it is used for food
The young unfolding leaves can be added fresh to salads. They can be boiled and served with vinegar. (The leaves become bitter once the buds and flowers appear.)
It is a famine food.
Edible parts
Leaves
How it is grown
It is grown from sections of the rhizome. These are spaced 15-30 cm apart and 10 cm deep. Plants can be propagated by division or from seed.
It has a slow 7 year lifecycle.