Back home, I give careful thought to choosing which pictures from our trip I’d like to keep. Choosing this one was easy.
“Stop!,” he called out. When I turned around, I found him pointing to the one and only blooming flower at our feet. It glowed among the leaf litter’s peachy tones; and I blurted out thrilled, “trillium!” Yes, trillium; but upon closer inspection, I noticed the reddish-purple center and vowed to learn more about this unfamiliar variety.
After all these years, I now know the name “trillium” is derived from the Latin “tri” (referencing the three leaves and three flower petals) and “llium” (from “liliaceous” referencing the flower’s funnel shape).
This new-to-us woodland wonder, a painted trillium, blooms when 4 years old or older. Maroon-infused green leaves surround its wavy-edged petals, and the circular splotch of “paint” guides pollinators to its goods.
It is a wholesome and necessary thing for us to turn again to the earth and in the contemplation of her beauties to know the sense of wonder and humility.
― Rachel Carson
What a lovely shot - and interesting to read about more about the trillium. I've seen some once - didn't know at the time what it was called - but it's such a sweet flower.
