Practical
Plants

Trillium ovatum

Wakerobin

a perennial member of the Trillium genus in the family Trilliaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.4 m
Spread
0.2 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves are sometimes cooked for greens[8].

Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A decoction of the fresh or dried powdered root is used as a treatment for sore eyes[7]. The fresh root juice can be dripped into an afflicted eye[11]. The juice of the plant can be applied externally as a treatment for boils[11]. A poultice of the root can be used as a treatment for boils[11]. The thick underground root stalks were used by some native North American Indian tribes during childbirth[8].

Product or use
Birthing aid
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Skin

Environment

Range
Western N. America - Montana to British Columbia, south to California and Colorado.
Habitat
Rich woodlands[4]. Damp woods or boggy areas in partial shade, from low valleys to elevations of 2,000 metres[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown in a shaded cold frame as soon as it is ripe[2][6]. 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[3], whilst yet another report says that the seed can take 3 years to germinate[10]. The seedlings are prone to damp off and must therefore be watered with care and given plenty of fresh air[3]. 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[3]. Division with care when the plants die down after flowering[6]. 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.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a deep well-drained woodland or humus-rich soil in a somewhat shady position that remains moist in the summer[1][12]. Prefers a neutral to slightly acid soil[6]. Grows well in open woodland[1]. Succeeds in deep shade[5]. Succeeds in a sunny position if the soil does not dry out[12]. Any transplanting is best done whilst the plants are in flower[6]. Plants can flower in two years from seed[3]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[9], though slugs are very fond of the leaves[10].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩

  3. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  4. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩

  5. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

    ↩

  8. Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press 1963-00-00 ISBN 63-7093

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  10. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2

  11. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  12. Grey. C. H. Hardy Bulbs. Williams & Norgate. 1938-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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