Genus ( Trillium) 
Trilliums derive their generic name from the fact 
that all their parts are arranged in threes; three leaves, 
three petals, three sepals and a three-parted stigma. 
The common name of Wake Robin was probably early 
given because these flowers appear at an early date. 
As a matter of fact they do not bloom until weeks after 
the Robins have returned to the Northern States. All 
the purple trilliums have an unpleasant odor resembling 
that of putrid meat; as they are largely dependent for 
fertilization upon certain carrion flies, it is very prob¬ 
able that their peculiar color is for the purpose of an 
added lure for these insects. 
Purple Trillium; Birtiiroot; Ill-scented Wake 
Robin (Trillium erectum) has three purplish-brown 
petals and three sepals; six stamens exceeding in length 
the stout spreading stigma. Flower solitary, rising on 
a short pedicel above the whorl of broad, ovate, pointed 
and short petioled leaves. This trillium ranges in height 
from 6 to 15 inches. It flowers in April and May, in 
rich woods from Quebec to Ont. and southwards. 
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