Here is a picture of a four-petalled White Trillium taken at our cottage on Paudash Lake. It is the only one I have ever seen. How rare are they?

Audrey Moore

Note: These trilliums are quite rare. It is only the second one I’ve heard of in Peterborough County. That being said, trilliums seem to show a fair amount of chromosomal variation, and mutations are not uncommon. There is a tendency of some to show white and green patterns in the petals, for example.  One of the pictures below shows a trillium with 12 petals!

 Green-striped White Trillium - Hamilton -Paula Baruch

Green-striped White Trillium – Hamilton -Paula Baruch

"Normal" White Trillium - Drew Monkman

“Normal” White Trillium – Drew Monkman

4-petalled White Trillium  - Paudash L. 2015 - Audrey Moore

4-petalled White Trillium – Paudash L. 2015 – Audrey Moore

aberrant-White Trillium - Hayes-Line - 2015 - Ruthanne Sobiera

4-petalled – White Trillium – Hayes-Line – 2014 – Ruthanne Sobiera

Mutant White Trillium - Selwyn Conservation Area - 2011- Robert Moos - Copy

Mutant White Trillium – Selwyn Conservation Area – 2011- Robert Moos –

 

Categories: Sightings

Drew Monkman

I am a retired teacher, naturalist and writer with a love for all aspects of the natural world, especially as they relate to seasonal change.