^ 



400 FLOWERS OF FIELD, HILL, AND SWAMP 



inches high, bearing generally 3 oblong leaves, sessile, and 

 sheathing at base. Flower rather large, with an open, at 

 length reflexed, 6-divided perianth, 6 stamens, i ovary and 

 style. Berries, dark red. 



In wet, boggy woods from Maine to Pennsylvania, westward to 

 jMichigan. 



99. Ill-scented W^ake-robin. Birthroot 



Trillium erectum. — Family, Lily-of-the-valley. Color, deep 

 purple, crimson, or often lighter, varying to white. Leaves, 3 

 above on the stem, very broad, 3 to 6 inches long, and often 

 as wide, sharply pointed at apex. Ti7ne, April to June. 



Four of the trilliums are found in damp woods, among our 

 rather early spring flowers. They are similar in character, all 

 producing from a tuberous rootstock a single stem, with 3 

 large leaves at the summit. 



This species {T. erectu7n) produces the largest leaves. The 

 solitary flower (2 to 3 inches across) stands or droops on a 

 peduncle, i to 4 inches long. Sepals, 3, narrower than the 

 3 petals, remaining after the petals have withered. The 

 pistil bears 3 stiff, open stigmas, which are stigmatic on their 

 inner surface. The flower might be pretty, but it has a dis- 

 agreeable odor, which is more attractive to insects than our- 

 selves. 



100. Large-flowered Wake-robin 



T. grandiflorum is a white trillium, larger in flower and 

 smaller in leaf than the last. The waxy petals take on later 

 a pink color. Stamens, 6, with long anthers. Styles, 3, slen- 

 der an3 erect, stigmatic along the inner side. i'>«//, a berry, 

 nearly black. Twie, May and June. 



Range, from Quebec to Florida, and westward to Missouri. 



loi. Nodding W^ake-robin 

 T. cernuinn is a wliite or pink species, with petals about 



