Main Page | See live article | Alphabetical index

Trillium erectum

Trillium chloropetalum rubrum


Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Liliales
Family: Liliaceae
Genus: Trillium
Species: erectum
Binomial name
Trillium erectum

Wake-robin, Beth root, Birthroot, or Stinking benjamin (Trillium erectum) is a spring-flowering perennial plant native to the west and north-west coast of the United States. It grows to about 40 cm in height with a spread of 30 cm. It can tolerate extreme cold in winter, surviving temperatures down to -35 C. The flowers are a deep red colour, and the plant takes its name Wake-robin by analogy with the Robin which has a red breast that heralds spring. The flowers have the smell of rotting flesh as they are pollinated by flies. The young leaves can be used in salad and taste like sunflower seeds.