Trilliums

On the trilliums which burst from the forests floors of Ontario in Spring.

"Trillium is one of many plants whose seeds are spread by ants. At maturity, the base and core of the trillium ovaryturns soft and spongy. Trillium seeds have a fleshy organ called an elaiosome that attracts ants. The ants extract the seeds from the decaying ovary and take them to their nest, where they eat the elaiosomes and put the seeds in their garbage, where they germinate in a rich growing medium... Picking a trillium seriously injures the plant by preventing the leaf-like bracts from producing food for the next year. A plant takes many years to recover."


c/o wiki