Trillium, Red (Beth Root, Birth Root)

Trillium erectum

Family: Liliaceae
The nodding, dark purple flowers of Beth Root beckon from the darkest parts of the
forest, where the nearby sound of tinkling water is momentarily punctuated by the
brief stacatto of a woodpecker. It is no wonder that these plants have been associated
with the depth and mystery of birth since the Native Americans alone walked the
hardwood forests. They used the tea of the root to bring on labor and to improve the
force of contractions during labor. The leaves were crushed and applied as a poultice,
serving as a local irritant for treating skin disease or ulcerations. Among the settlers
and early physicians, the root tea was used to assist in childbirth and as an astringent,
sialogogue and expectorant to treat hemorrhage, menstrual disorders, cough and
asthma. Cultivation: Extra care. The seed was hand collected as the capsules dried
and split, and has been kept fresh and undried, refrigerated in moist medium. This
conditioned seed must be planted in moist, rich, shady beds (preferably in the
hardwood forest) in the fall or early spring. Space rows 12 inches apart. Sow seed
shallowly at approximately 1 inch spacing in the rows. Seeds will emerge in the
spring, or if sown too late in the spring or summer will emerge the following spring.
Allow to grow at close spacing for a full summer or two before transplanting in the
fall to 6 inches or more apart. Prefers a deep shade habitat, with humusy soil and
plenty of moisture. Flowers red from 6 to 16 inches.

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