Trillium grandiflorum - White Trillium

Family:	Trilliaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.4
Width:	0.3
Synonyms:
Range:	Eastern N. America - Maine to Ontario, south to Georgia and Arkansas.

Trillium grandiflorum (White Trillium) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.4m and a width of 0.3m . It has a hardness rating of 5.
White Trillium will flower in October to December. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Flies

Soil Information

White Trillium will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
White Trillium prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

White Trillium can grow in full, semi shaded areas and areas with no shade.

Rich woods and thickets, usually on limestone[43].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Is suited to a deeply shaded location

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 but succeeds in acid or limey soils[200]. Grows well in open woodland[1, 90]. Succeeds in deep shade[188]. Succeeds in a sunny position if the soil does not dry out[42, 138]. A very ornamental and long-lived plant[1, 138, 233]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233], though slugs are very fond of the leaves[238]. A polymorphic species, it is very subject to mutation[90]. Some named varieties have been selected for their ornamental value[200]. Any transplanting is best done whilst the plants are in flower[200]. Plants can flower in two years from seed[138].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
Young leaves - cooked and used like spinach[46, 61, 105, 183]. A famine food, it is only used when all else fails[177].

• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The root is diuretic[257]. The raw root is grated and applied as a poultice to the eye in order to reduce swelling[207, 213]. The raw root s also used as a poultice on aching rheumatic joints[257]. A decoction of the root bark can be used as drops in treating a sore ear[257]. The grated root is steeped in water and drunk as a tea for the treatment of cramps[207]. The grated root is simmered in water and drunk for the treatment of irregular menses[207, 213].

• Antispasmodic - Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.
• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Emmenagogue - Promotes or increases the menstrual flow. In early stages of pregnancy it can induce an abortion.
• Ophthalmic - Treats eye complaints.

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.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

'' - There are some named forms for this species, but these have been developed for their ornamental value and not for their other uses. Unless you particularly require the special characteristics of any of these cultivars, we would generally recommend that you grow the natural species for its useful properties. We have, therefore, not listed the cultivars in this database[K].

References

Gray's Manual of Botany.
Fernald. M. L.
Author: Fernald. M. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.
Date of Publication : 1950

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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