[Trilliums and Wakerobins: The Genus Trillium East of the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington]

Idaho Trillium, Petioled Wakerobin, Purple Trillium, Purple Wakerobin, Round-leaved Trillium, Round-leaved Wakerobin

Trillium petiolatum

The photo above shows the leaves and several flowers of round-leaved wake-robin as seen along the Valley Trail in the Little Spokane Natural Area north of Spokane, WA.............May 13, 2011. Note that the flowers do not extend beyond the leaves.

The photo at right shows the leaves of round-leaved wake-robin as seen along the trail in the Little Spokane Natural Area north of Spokane, WA.............April 19, 2002. Note the long-petioled leaves.

Characteristics:

Round-leaved wake-robin is a perennial wildflower one to occasionally several partially subterranean stems arising 5-18 cm. The non-mottled leaves have long petioles which range from one-third to twice as long as the leaf blades. The blades are broadly ovate to orbicular and measure from 6-15 cm long and nearly as wide. Individual blades have rounded to obtuse tips and range from rounded to slightly cordate at the base.

The flower is sessile and is found directly atop the union of the 3 leaf petioles. The 3 green sepals are narrowly oblong-elliptic and range from 2.5-6 cm long. The 3 petals are usually maroon or purplish, but may ocassionally be green, brown, or yellowish in color. They are narrowly oblanceolate in shape and measure from 3-4.5 cm long. The anthers are dark purple and measure from 10-30 mm long.

Habitat:

Round-leaved wake-robin is found on moist ground in woods and in thickets at moderate elevation.

Range:

Round-leaved wake-robin is found east of the Cascade Mts. from Chelan County in central Washington south to Grant, Gilliam, and Morrow counties in north-central and northeastern Oregon. It is found eastward to Spokane, WA, the Blue Mts. of southeastern Washington, and in western Idaho.

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Additional close-ups of the leaves and flowers of round-leaved wake-robin as seen along the valley trail about one-half mile northwest of the Painted Rocks trailhead in the Little Spokane River Natural Area north of Spokane, WA.............May 12, 2011.

The photo above shows the leaves and several flowers of round-leaved wake-robin as seen along the trail in the Little Spokane Natural Area north of Spokane, WA.............April19, 2002. Note that the flowers do not extend beyond the leaves.

Paul Slichter