Prairie Trillium
Trillium recurvatum

Other Names: Bethroot, Bloody Butcher, Wake robin, Birthroot, Reflexed Trillium, Recurved Trillium,

Habitat: (Trillium recurvatum) Perennial native of north-eastern N. America found growing in humus-rich soils in damp and shady, woodlands and scrub areas from the central to western states. Cultivation is fairly easy, through seed or transplants (when flowers bloom). Prefers a deep well-drained, humus-rich soil in a somewhat shady position. The globular, oblong root is light brown outside, the flesh is white and tender or crispy. The smooth, erect, light green, reddish at base, stem grows from 10 to 15 inches high, bearing three petioled leaves at top, broad, dark green and mottled. The dark red to maroon, single, flower sepals are recurved (bent backwards below the flower) in this form of Trillium, flowers bloom from April to June. According to ginsengers, this group of flowers, as well as Jack in the Pulpit; are good indicators of soil favorable for growing wild ginseng. Gather the young edible leaves before flowers appear and the roots in spring and summer. Dry root for later herb use.

Properties: Trillium is edible and medicinal, it has a long history of use by Native Americans. The young edible unfolding leaves are an excellent addition to salad tasting somewhat like sunflower seeds. The leaves can also be cooked as a pot herb. The root is used as an alternative medicine and is abortifacient, antiseptic, antispasmodic, diuretic, emmenagogue (to promote menstruation), and ophthalmic. The roots, fresh or dry, may be boiled in milk and used for diarrhea and dysentery. The raw root is grated and applied as a poultice to the eye in order to reduce swelling, or on aching rheumatic joints. The leaves were boiled in lard and applied to ulcers as a poultice, and to prevent gangrene. An infusion of the root is used in the treatment of cramps and a common name for the plant, ‘birthroot', originated from its use to promote menstruation. A decoction of the root bark can be used as drops in treating earache. Constituents found in the volatile and fixed oils are, tannic acid, saponin, a glucoside resembling convallamarin, sulphuric acid and potassium dichromate, gum, resin, and starch.

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Folklore: Used as abortifacients or to facilitate childbirth, and to treat other female problems by the women of many Native American tribes. Trillium root was considered to be a sacred female herb and they only spoke of it to their medicine women.

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Medicinal drink: Add 1 tsp. herb decoction to 1 cup warm milk, take at bedtime for diarrhoea.

Pot herb: Gather young unfolding leaves boil or fry and season to taste.

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