WESTERN TRILLIUM
The range of the western trillium is from about Olympia south through the Williamette Valley, occurrs in moist open forest.
This plant has an interesting modus operandi when it comes to seed dispersal. Each seed has an oil-rich appendage that is attractive to ants. The ants, seeking an easy meal for themselves and larvae, lug these seeds back to their nests. After feeding the seeds are discarded onto the rubbish pile. Ants are said to disperse up to 30% of the spring flower.
The name is derived from the Latin trillium meaning ”in 3s,” referring to the plants leaves, petals, sepals, and stigmas.
