trillium

/tril"ee euhm/, n.

any of several plants belonging to the genus Trillium, of the lily family, having a whorl of three leaves from the center of which rises a solitary, three-petalled flower.

[ < NL (Linnaeus), appar. alter. of Sw trilling triplet, alluding to the foliation]

* * *

Any of about 25 species of spring-flowering perennial herbaceous plants that make up the genus Trillium in the lily family, native to North America and Asia.

Whorls of oval leaves, flower parts, and fruits are arranged in groups of three. Each solitary white, greenish-white, yellow, pink, or purple flower is borne on a short stalk that arises from the whorl of leaves. Many species are cultivated in wildflower gardens. Wild trillium (also called wake-robin or birthroot) is a protected species.

* * *

▪ plant genus

also called  wakerobin, or birthroot,  

      genus of spring-flowering perennial herbs of the family Melanthiaceae, consisting of about 25 species, native to North America and Asia. They have oval leaves in whorls of three at the top of the stem. The flower parts and fruits also are in threes.

      Each solitary white, greenish white, yellow, pink, or purple flower is borne on a short stalk that arises from the whorl of leaves. Many species of Trillium are cultivated in wildflower gardens.

* * *