What's so special about Trillium?

They have a grace, simplicity and beauty that are rivaled by only one other woodland plant, the Lady Slipper Orchid.  They are hardy and drought resistant.  Some will grow in the sun and others want shade.  And there are some that like it in between.  They come in a variety of colors, pink, white, red, yellow and even green forms.  There are picoteed forms and bicolors.  Single forms are the norm, but double forms are around.  There are bold ones that invite you from a distance and shy ones that hide under a leaf and invite you take a peek. 

Trillium have been and still are used, along with their cousins Paris from China, in herbal medicine.  The Indians of North America used them and taught the early settlers their medicinal uses.  The Chinese are still using Paris tubers ground into powder in herbal medicines.