Red Trillium
Trillium erectum
43.0904, -79.0861
Field Notes
Description:
This plant grows to about 40 cm in height with a spread of 30 cm and can tolerate extreme cold in winter, surviving temperatures down to -35 C. The flowers have the smell of rotting meat, as they are pollinated by flies. The leaves contain calcium oxalate crystals and crystal raphide, and should not be consumed by humans.
Habitat:
Spring-flowering perennial plant native to the east and north-eastern areas of North America. The flowers are a deep red colour, and the plant takes its name Wake-robin by analogy with the Robin, which has a red breast that heralds spring.
Notes:
I spotted these growing in the ground but also on top of huge boulders in the Niagara Gorge. It's part of the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve.
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