Why Is the Trillium a Monocotyledon?

Monocotyledons

• Four characteristics distinguish monocotyledons, including trillium, from dicotyledons. Monocots have one cotyledon, or seedling leaf, rather than two. Their veins run parallel, along the leaf's length, rather than in crisscrossed networks. Their vascular bundles, or the tissues that carry water and nutrients, appear throughout the stem rather than concentrating in the stem's center. Finally, their flower petals grow in multiples of three.

The Diverse Trillium

• North America is home to 35 varieties of trillium, including the Large White, with its showy blooms, and the Bent, which hides its small flowers under big leaves. Some species are noteworthy for their scent: The flowers of the Stinking Benjamin and the Toadshade smell like rotting meat, a trait that draws green flesh flies to pollinate the blooms. Other trilliums grow only in certain soils, such as the limestone-loving Whippoorwill and Yellow varieties. There's even a trillium that doesn't resemble a trillium at all. The Painted Trillium sometimes sports four leaves, as well as flowers with two petals. Trillium blossoms come in colors including white, pink, yellow, purple, brown and burgundy. Some trilliums can live as long as 70 years.

Trillium Properties

• Trillium plants contain calcium oxalate crystals, which make them unpalatable to many smaller animals. However, Native Americans cooked and ate young trillium leaves. Native Americans also extracted compounds and made tonics from trillium roots to stop bleeding, clean wounds and treat asthma, diarrhea, ulcers and insect bites. They applied trillium root poultices to rheumatic joints, and used the plant's root bark to make drops for ear infections. Trillium also has antifungal properties.

Growing Trillium

• Trillium is difficult to propagate. It's particular about its growing conditions, and it can take two years to germinate and seven years to bloom for the first time. The trillium grows in wooded areas, and it prefers some shade and rich, damp humus. To grow trillium from seed, collect ripe berries in late June or early July and plant them under semi-shaded areas in humus-filled soil. You can also cut small rhizome segments from existing trillium plants. Each segment needs a growing point, or bud, and feeder roots. Plant rhizome pieces 10 inches apart in the ground and cover with at least 2 inches of soil. Propagate in spring to avoid root rot from damp, cold conditions in fall and winter. Some nurseries also sell trillium rhizomes. Do not harvest trillium flowers; taking blooms can keep plants from flowering for several seasons, or even kill them.