Latin tri – three, referring to the conspicuously tripartite flowers.
Perennial, rhizomatous herbs with unbranched aerial stems. Leaves 3 in a terminal whorl, lance-shaped to broadly ovate, reticulate veined, not sheathing. Flowers radially symmetrical, funnel- to bowlshaped, erect. Inflorescence 1-flowered, terminal. Sepals 3, free, green; petals 3, free, coloured. Stamens 6, free. Ovary superior, ovoid. Fruit a capsule. Seeds few, brown, with appendages.
Grown in Australia as cool climate ornamentals in moist shade for their unusual flowers and leaves.
30 species from the Himalayas, SE Asia and N America.
Rhizomes; stems with a whorl of 3 leaves; terminal solitary flower with 3 sepals and 3 petals.
Mitchell (1989a, b, c, 1990, 1992), Case & Case (1997), Zomlefer (1997).
Source: (2005). Trilliaceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.