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Trillium ovatum - Pursh.

Common Name Wakerobin, Pacific trillium, Oettinger's trillium, Hibberson's trillium
Family Trilliaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Rich woodlands[165]. Damp woods or boggy areas in partial shade, from low valleys to elevations of 2,000 metres[212].
Range Western N. America - Montana to British Columbia, south to California and Colorado.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade Full sun
Trillium ovatum Wakerobin,  Pacific trillium, Oettinger


commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs
Trillium ovatum Wakerobin,  Pacific trillium, Oettinger
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Wsiegmund

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Trillium ovatum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

The leaves are sometimes cooked for greens[212].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Birthing aid  Ophthalmic  Skin

A decoction of the fresh or dried powdered root is used as a treatment for sore eyes[207]. The fresh root juice can be dripped into an afflicted eye[257]. The juice of the plant can be applied externally as a treatment for boils[257]. A poultice of the root can be used as a treatment for boils[257]. The thick underground root stalks were used by some native North American Indian tribes during childbirth[212].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a deep well-drained woodland or humus-rich soil in a somewhat shady position that remains moist in the summer[1, 42]. Prefers a neutral to slightly acid soil[200]. Grows well in open woodland[1]. Succeeds in deep shade[188]. Succeeds in a sunny position if the soil does not dry out[42]. Any transplanting is best done whilst the plants are in flower[200]. Plants can flower in two years from seed[138]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233], though slugs are very fond of the leaves[238].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown in a shaded cold frame as soon as it is ripe[134, 200]. Stored seed should be sown in late winter or early spring. Seed usually germinates within 1 - 3 months at 15°c. Another report says that seeds produce a root after the first cold stratification but no shoot is produced until after a second winter[138], whilst yet another report says that the seed can take 3 years to germinate[238]. The seedlings are prone to damp off and must therefore be watered with care and given plenty of fresh air[138]. The young plants need to be overwintered in a cold frame for the first year and can then be planted out in late spring. It is very important that the pots become neither too dry nor too wet[138]. Division with care when the plants die down after flowering[200]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the following spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Alberta (southwest), British Columbia (south)), United States (Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, California (north & central))

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Trillium erectumBeth Root - Indian Balm, Red trillium, Wakerobin, Purple TrilliumPerennial0.4 4-9 SLMHFSNM23 
Trillium grandiflorumWhite Trillium, Large Flower Trillium, White Trillium, Large Flower Wakerobin, Large Flowered TrilPerennial0.4 4-9 SLMHFSNM12 
Trillium kamtschaticum Perennial0.3 4-8  LMHFSNM12 
Trillium pendulum Perennial0.3 -  LMHFSNM01 
Trillium sessileToadshadePerennial0.4 4-8  LMHFSNM21 
Trillium smallii Perennial0.4 4-8  LMHFSNM10 
Trillium tschonoskii Perennial0.2 4-8  LMHFSNM12 
Trillium undulatumPainted TrilliumPerennial0.2 4-8  LMHFSNM11 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Pursh.

Botanical References

200270

Links / References

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