Stratified Seeds - Red Trillium

For successful seedlings,
see the growing notes at the bottom of the page!

Red trillium (Trillium erectum) is an understory herbaceous perennial, recognizable by its three large green leaves arranged in a whorl and its solitary flower borne above them, with petals that are usually dark red, sometimes purplish, greenish, or even white. The flower often emits a strong odour that attracts carrion-pollinating insects. The plant reaches 20 to 40 cm in height. It grows in mixed or deciduous forests of Quebec, in humus-rich, fresh, and slightly acidic soils. Its growth is slow, and it takes several years before reaching maturity and flowering.

Sociability index: 1 → Indicates the plant’s behaviour in space and its interactions with other plants.

Ecological roles
Red trillium is a spring understory plant that flowers early in the season, providing a source of nectar and pollen for the first pollinators, including flies and certain beetles. Its fleshy fruits, containing seeds equipped with an elaiosome, are dispersed by ants (myrmecochory), which contributes to their spread in Quebec forests. The plant is an indicator of mature forests and plays an important role in forest understory diversity. 

Depending on the time of receipt, it is important to place the seed packet in the refrigerator until sowing.

After consulting the growing notes section, you can consult our article on fall and winter sowing for more information. 

Red trillium seeds require cold stratification to ensure germination. See the growing notes below for more details.

Akène cannot assume any responsibility for the use of plants for therapeutic purposes. Always seek advice from a professional before using a medicinal or edible plant.