Sign of Spring – Trillium in Ontario

Now in late April, the first sign of trillium growth appears along sections of the Avon Trail.
The White Trillum is Ontario’s provincial flower. Along with it, you can spot the Red Trillium in the understory of forests through which the Avon Trail passes.
Five native trillium species grow in Ontario: White Trillium, Red Trillium, Painted Trillium, Drooping Trillium, and Nodding Trillium.

This specimen was sighted by Terry Aitken along with his wife, Valerie and daughter Carolyn while walking a section of Avon Trail on April 28.

Flowering trilliums have a few weeks in the Spring to collect as much sunlight and nutrients as possible to be able to survive for the rest of the year. They are known as the trinity flower because of their three petals, three sepals and three leaves. Remember, do not pick a flowering trillium. Now is when this perennial collects the resources it needs to survive.