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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