Reader report: If you find a flower like this, please leave it alone

| Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

The photo (which was accompanied by a similar one, except the flower is white) is from Jeremy Puma in Sunrise Heights, who writes:

My son and I found these beautiful trillium flowers growing in the woods at Lincoln Park (Saturday). Wonder if you would be open to reminding your readers that these ephemeral beauties are threatened natives, and picking the flowers will kill the plant?

Some trilliums are threatened or endangered; It’s best to enjoy the flowers with eyes and/or a camera.

That’s an excellent reminder to tread lightly in general in our natural areas.

Kersti Muul April 3, 2016 (11:33 am)

It takes >5 years to recover if picked, and could die. It takes >10 years to bloom from seed. The leaves are connected to the flower in a way that if picked, you Rob the plant of the ability to feed itself (photosynthesize, etc) this particular plant was white, earlier in March, it turns pink as a cue to pollinators when it is late in season….

Seaweedtoasted April 3, 2016 (1:44 pm)

My most favorite flower ever!

Lynda Stewart April 3, 2016 (3:31 pm)

I am from Ontario Canada and grew up with Trilliums near our cottage in Muskoka. Also Ontarios provincial flower. We were taught from a young age just look don’t touch! Didn’t know they grew out here. Thanks for sharing 💕

NW April 3, 2016 (4:12 pm)

Thanks for sharing and I am an avid gardener occasional hiker and mountain biker wasn’t familiar with this flower until now I will tread lightly and appreciate from a distance.

GrowerOfMoss April 3, 2016 (4:28 pm)

Trillium volunteered in my yard, under a tree in full shade. Say what you want about being picked, but it tolerates neglect just fine.

Dennis Cheasebro April 3, 2016 (5:01 pm)

It’s a native wildflower and prefers forest shade. It doesn’t need help, just tolerance.

Elly April 3, 2016 (4:40 pm)

Thank you for sharing!!

Chavey8 April 3, 2016 (4:57 pm)

I planted some and they come back every year, I have a memory of my Father getting mad at my Mom’s Mother. We were at Point Defiance Park and she wanted to pick the Trillium’s. My Father knew that random fact in the 1960’s. Funny….must be true!

chemist April 3, 2016 (6:33 pm)

Please don’t pick these white ones too, particularly the one in my yard.

Deo April 3, 2016 (6:48 pm)

Up in Glacier, WA, they start out white and then turn pink at the end of the blooming process. Always the first official notice that spring is here :-)

Pixie April 3, 2016 (7:06 pm)

My son brought home these flowers when we lived in Port Angeles on the park line. Trilliums

stink. It had to go outside. As he was about 10, he was thanked for the gift but instructed to leave them alone in the future.

AY April 3, 2016 (7:27 pm)

Thanks for posting. This is important to know. If allowed, could you post this photo with information, on the bulletin board at Lincoln Park?

Lisa April 4, 2016 (4:45 am)

Thank you for posting. I personally think that nothing should be picked or removed from a park. Dandelions yes, a childhood favorite, but things in nature should stay in nature. No impact. Great post!