2022 | 2020 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013

Questions and Answers: 2015

Question: On June 7 I encountered this painted trillium (Trillium undulatum) in mixed hardwood/spruce/fir forest at about 2100 feet in the …

• Question

  On June 7 I encountered this painted trillium (Trillium undulatum) in mixed hardwood/spruce/fir forest at about 2100 feet in the White Mountain National Forest. It's interesting because it has 4 leaves, 4 sepals, and 4 petals, although one petal was not fully developed, or had atrophied, and is not visible in the photo. How frequently do such aberrant forms occur in this species?

  Answer

  Dear restoretpoint, four-leaved and four-petaled individuals of Trillium are not common. Every now and again one is encountered in the forests of New England. These plants are considered to be the "developmental errors" as a result of injury to the growing apex of the plant that season. Typically, when re-visited or grown in a garden setting, those plants will revert to the usual 3-leaved and 3-petaled form the following season. Best wishes.