You’re probably wondering about what’s so special about trilliums. Here’s something to wonder about. Have you ever seen any flower that changes colors through time? Well, the trilliums are just that special! Another thing you won’t miss about these flowers is that their parts come in threes of everything! It is commonly used in culinary garnishes or folkloric medicine.
The flower meaning and symbolism behind the trilliums lay in its rich history and floral colors. For example, a white and red trillium means modesty and an undying love. Other colors such as a yellow and green flower represents cheerfulness and good energy. Meanwhile, a purple and pink trillium flower symbolizes enthusiasm and glamor.
History of Trillium Flowers
The trillium or collectively called trilliums were described in 1760 by Frederick Pursh as a plant with erect stems and comes in threes of almost every part! It comes with three leaves three petals, and three sepals (which are leaf like bracts). The stamens and stigmas also come in sets of three.
The trilliums are flowering perennial herbs native to most parts of North America and Asia. The flowers are most abundant in and found in its natural habitat in eastern Canada. It belongs to the genus Trillium where it is commonly mistaken to be a part of the Lily family but truly belongs to the Melathiaceae family.
The name trillium comes from three distinct languages. It comes from the Latin word tres, Greek word tris, and Swedish word trilling which all translate to three or triplet. The flower was first discovered along a Colombian river during the expedition of Lewis and Clark. Today, the flowers are cultivated as wild garden flowers and are known by other interesting names.
The trillium are also sometimes called by other names such as Wake robins or Birthroots. Some of the popular species of this flower include the Beth root Trillium erectum, Water robin (Trillium erectum), the Snow trillium (Trillium grandiflorum), and the Nodding trillium (Trillium cernuum).
Trilliums can be grown in many parts of the world. It only requires well drained soil, full to partial shade conditions, and lots of love. In fact, picking trillium flowers improves the overall health of the entire plant!
Symbolism of Trillium Flowers
The trilliums are honored as the official symbol of the province of Ontario in Canada. The flowers during the second World War were a floral symbol of the Royal Canadian Navy. In the United States, the blossoms were elected in 1987 as the state official flower in Ohio.
Trillium flowers symbolize the coming of the spring season. Even if it does announce the start of a new season, it can also represent delicacy and fragility. Because in reality, these blossoms are extremely sensitive and weak that if you pick them, no other plant will grow in its place even after quite some time!
Meaning of Trillium Flowers
There is more than just one trillium flower meaning out there. The interesting meanings behind trilliums take after its other common names: the Wake robin and the Birth root.
Do you know about the saying: the early bird catches the worm? Well, the name Wake robin actually means something quite close to that. If you observe its time of bloom, the flowers begin to burst open during the early days of spring!
Meanwhile, the Birth root name comes from a whole different context. In traditional and folkloric medicine, the flowers were said to have special abilities in reducing uttering bleeding and pain during and after childbirth.
What does a White Trillium Flower Mean?
White trilliums are the most common color for this flower. A great white trillium flower conveys the meaning of being modest and humble.
What do Pink Trillium Flowers Symbolize?
Pink Trilliums symbolize timeless beauty and glamor.
What does a Purple Trillium Flower Indicate?
Being enthusiastic and passionate are indicated by the appearance of purple Birth roots.
What do Yellow Trillium Flowers Represent?
You already know that Trilliums are heralds of Spring. It’s not surprising to believe that these flowers with yellow petals represent glee or cheerfulness!
What does a Green Trillium Flower Mean?
Green Trilliums are like floral zealots. They symbolize great energy during bloom time.
What do Red Trillium Flowers Symbolize?
A mother’s undying love and sacrifice are symbolized by red Birth roots.
What is the Cultural Significance of Trillium Flowers?
Native American tribes believed in the medicinal benefits of Trilliums. For the Menomini Indians, freshly dug roots were used as a wet dressing to treat eye inflammation. Other natives such as the Potawatomi and Chippewa tribes steeped the roots in water to treat sore nipples and rheumatism. These tribes also claimed that the steeped roots can be used as ear drops for infections or inflammation.
What is the Biblical Meaning of Trillium Flowers?
Some devout Christians say that the flowers are a symbol of the Christian Trinity or the Holy Trinity and the Holy Spirit. Although this is just a belief and is not discussed in the scriptures, these blossoms are actually a manifestation of the Star of David.
What are the Folktales Associated with Trillium Flowers?
The people of the Pacific Northwest and native Americans have an enchanting tale about the trilliums. According to popular belief, the plant bulbs are used as a charm or talisman for beauty and luck! It was also believed that bringing the flowers into a home will bring about bountiful money and love.
What is the Spiritual Influence of Trillium Flowers?
The essence of trilliums helps in promoting the balance of learning and its foundation in the physical body. It guides and humbles experiences centered in peace. If the balance is not achieved, these flowers also manifest spiritual greed and the desire for power and possession over others.
What does a Trillium Floral Tattoo Symbolize?
Choosing a trillium tattoo design is not for many. This particular floral design had a deep symbolic meaning mostly for women. This blossom embodies the gift of fertility and motherhood. Apart from this, it also displays a woman’s inner feminine strength and radiating beauty.
Uses of Trillium Plants
The trillium flowers are famously grown as wild garden ornamental flowers or in most cases, in public areas. Each plant contains at most 16 seeds and is dispersed by little ants.
Its leaves can be added to fresh salads and dishes because of their similar taste to raw sunflower seeds! Surprisingly, some cuisines also boil the leaves for 10 minutes in butter and vinegar as a substitute for spinach greens.
In traditional and folkloric medicinal uses, these plants offer several benefits. Various native tribes often used the roots topically as a treatment for open wounds and skin sores. They also claim that some species contain the compound sapogenin.
Medically, it is used as an astringent, coagulant, and uterine stimulant hence the reason why many midwives used these to induce labor in pregnant women and for digestive problems. A word of caution that it is a must to always consult a medical professional before using this plant or any part of it for medical purposes.
*References
St. Olaf College. Nodding Trilliums. Retrieved from: https://wp.stolaf.edu/naturallands/woodlands/ephemerals/noddingtrillium/
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~ image source: depositphotos/Wirestock
