Alternate name: Large-flower Wakerobin
Family: Liliaceae, Lily view all from this family
Description The large, solitary, waxy-white flower (turning pink with age) is on an erect stalk above a whorl of 3 broad leaves.
Flowers: 2-4" (5-10 cm) wide; petals 3, large, wavy-edged; sepals 3, green; stamens 6, with yellow anthers.
Leaves: 3-6" (7.5-15 cm) long; broadly ovate to diamond-shaped, pointed.
Fruit: red berry.
Height: 8-18" (20-45 cm).
Flower April-June.
Habitat Rich woods, thickets, usually basic or neutral soils.
Range Ontario, Quebec, western Maine, and New Hampshire; south to Georgia; west to Arkansas; north to Minnesota.
Discussion This largest and showiest trillium is frequently cultivated in wildflower gardens. The underground rootstalks were gathered and chewed by Native Americans for a variety of medicinal purposes. The plants have also been picked and eaten as cooked greens. This practice may be fatal to the plant, since these trilliums arise from the rootstalks, which often die if the leaves are removed.
