Heralding the arrival of spring

 

I'm glad that Michelle and Kyle mentioned that you can find Trillium near the side of the road in Occidental.  I stopped briefly to take a few pictures on 18 March 2015.

This is Western Trillium or Western Wakerobin (Trillium ovatum).  Having spent most of my time at the ocean, I don't have a lot of experience with them.  I read that while most are white when they start flowering, they fade to a deep-rose color.

Here are two more examples of flowers that are further along:

 

 

"Trillium" refers to the flower parts coming in sets of threes (see below).  I wondered about the name "wakerobin."  I found a few references online that explained the name derives from the fact that these flowers bloom at the same time that robins are heralding the arrival of spring.

 

This is a good time of year to see Trilliums — catch them if you can!