68 ^ FLOWERS AND FRUITS. 



The plant which is the subject of our article, has been noticed 

 as one of the most curious of our vernal flowers, from the preva- 

 lence of the magic number three in all its parts of fructification. 

 It has three styles, three petals, and three leaves on a stem, and 

 is in fact, as Nuttall remarks, the European herb Paris, lacking a 

 fourth part throughout its structure, for in this the number four 

 prevails with as much regularity as the triple quantity in the 

 Trillium. With the exception of one trifling species which has 

 been found in Siberia, the whole genus is exclusively American, 

 and confined to the northern part of the continent. It is 

 perennial. 



This plant loves the shade, so placed however that it can 

 enjoy occasional glimpses of the sunshine, and it is to be met with 

 most frequently in our woods, by the sides of mountains, and now 

 and then at the bases of large rocks. The flowers come out in 

 the month of May, and often continue to the middle of June. The 

 blossoms are of a clear white color, serving as a beautiful relief 

 to the stripes of purple at the base ; they have a waved, undulate 

 appearance at the edge. With one exception this is the hand 

 somest species of the genus. The flowers of the Nodding Trillium 

 are hid from sight, bending down beneath the bosom of the leaves 

 so as to be sheltered by them ; those of the Erect Trillium would 

 equally accommodate the observer by pursuing the same plan, as 

 their dull brown purple color, and offensive smell, do not make 

 them pleasing objects, but the Large Flowering Trillium which 

 sends out in June beautiful white flowers, which undergo a curious 

 and striking change to red, and succeeded by pretty dark purple 

 leaves, which equally adorn the plant, has secured it as the emblem 

 of MODEST BEAUTY, which expression formerly required, in floral 

 language, the union of the Violet and Rose. 



