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What makes Trilliums tick?
By Ron Reid If there is one wildflower that everyone knows, it has to be the White Trillium, Ontario’s floral emblem. In early May, trilliums carpet the forest floor below the maples and other hardwoods across southern and central Ontario. But what makes this native flower so successful? At first glance, this species seems an unlikely candidate for abundance. A span of 7 to 10 years has to pass after a trillium first germinates before it produces its three-petal blossoms; it does most of its growth and flowering in the brief sunny period before the opening of forest foliage produces dense shade. The blossoms of white trilliums have no scent to attract insects to help in pollination. But look closely at the bloom, and the brilliant yellow anthers at its centre stand out, especially when loaded with pollen. This splash of colour is enough to attract roving bumblebees, who carry pollen from flower to flower in their travels. So when you hear concerns about the decline of bumblebee populations, think too about their role in fertilizing trilliums. A different insect plays a big role in spreading the seeds of trilliums across the forest floor. Ants live underground and are attracted to an oily substance attached to the plant’s seeds, which are produced in late summer. The ants carry these seeds back to their nests, but only eat the oils, leaving the
Ontario’s floral emblem takes 7-10 years after germination before producing its threepetal blossom.
seeds to germinate. So that carpet of white trilliums has largely been planted by ants! Of course, ants don’t travel far, so ecologists have puzzled over how trilliums and other plants were able to survive periods of glaciation when they needed to disperse at a rate of several hundred meters per year to avoid extinction. This question is called “Reid’s paradox” – no, I didn’t make that up! For white trilliums at least, the answer to that riddle turns out to be linked to its relationship with white-tailed deer. Deer love to eat trilliums, especially white trilliums in preference to the deep red blooms of wakerobin, or red trillium. This grazing can be a problem if deer are overly abundant, but when the ecosystem is in balance, it is also beneficial. That’s because the deer occasionally consume mature
seeds, and can carry them relatively long distances before pooping them out to start new plants. Grazing by cattle allowed to roam through woodlots is another matter – they cause long-lasting damage to trilliums and other forest wildflowers. Even where cattle were removed several decades ago, the abundance of spring flowers on the forest floor is very low. Contrary to popular belief, it is not illegal to pick trilliums. But if you are tempted, stop for a moment to think how it has taken seven years or more for that plant to produce its first bloom, and it will not grow back from its root alone. So those pretty white petals might grace your table for a few days, but the plant is gone forever. Take a photo instead.
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