OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 



Trillium Erectum. 



291 



ERECT WOOD-LILY; Nat. Ord. MELANTHACE^. 



A HARDY, tuberous perennial, from North America, whence 

 most, perhaps all, the species of this genus are imported. The 

 peculiar form of the plants gives rise to the generic name. A 

 flowering specimen has on one stem three leaves, three sepals, 

 and three petals ; the specific name is in reference to the more 

 erect habit of this species compared with others. Of T. erectum 

 there are several varieties, having different-coloured flowers ; the 



FIG. 104. TRILLIUM ERECTUM. 

 (One-half natural size.) 



specimens from which the drawing (Fig. 104) was taken have 

 rich brown or dark maroon flowers. Little groups have a rather 

 quaint look, they being very formal, the flowers curiously placed, 

 and of unusual colour. The flowers are fully 2in. across, or 

 much more, if the petals did not reflex almost their whole 

 length. The sepals of the calyx are exactly alternate with 

 the petals, and remain erect, giving the flower a characteristic 



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