The life cycle of the Western Trillium is quite unique. A single plant can take up to 8 years before it produces a flower and from there the flowers appear every April to May. When the flowers appear they are white and as it ages it turns pink. The plant has a life span of 20 years. The plants are recognizable by their long thin stalks with 3 tear shaped green leaves. They mostly grow alone but here is a cluster of them with seven smaller plants without flowers. This photo was taken in an old growth forest of red cedar trees in an ecological reserve. Although the reserve is not intended for outdoor recreation, it is open for hiking and photography. As a side note, last year I photographed one of the largest diameter cedar tree I have seen in the reserve. When I recently went to visit the tree, sadly it had toppled over probably from the winter wind storms. Such is the nature of the natural world. The tree will now contribute in providing nutrients to the soil as it slowly decays.

Trillium by Ron