One of the purposes of our school garden is to educate children about the plants native to Virginia. This red trillium is one of two blooming in a sheltered bed. Notice the 3 leaves and 3 petals from which the name derives. I remember finding these in the woods in Connecticut when I was growing up. Researching this evening, I learned that the trillium is one of many plants whose seeds are spread by ants. I also learned that picking a trillium seriously injures the plant by preventing the leaf-like bracts from producing food for the next year, and a plant takes many years to recover.
You see, it isn't just the children who get educated by the school garden.
Well, now people all over the world are being educated by your garden as well. I had no idea that ants helped to spread Trillium. I have never seen the red ones before either. I'm only familiar with the white ones. Thanks for the lesson!
