Perennial native to Eastern N. America and Canada, Maine to Ontario, south to Georgia and Arkansas. Found growing in rich woods and thickets. Transplants from the wild are best, but can be propagated by seed though it may take 2 years to germinate and another two years to bloom. Trillium is a very ornamental and long-lived plant. It is said to be a polymorphic species and is very subject to mutation.
Trillium grows from a short thick root or rhizome.
The long stem is tinged with red, round and smooth, unbranched, growing up to 2 feet high. This whorl of leaves can reach as much as 10 to 12 inches in diameter . Flowers bloom from April to June. Gather the young edible leaves before flowers appear and the roots in spring and summer. Dry root for later herb use.