purple trillium

American  

noun

1. birthroot.

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Etymology

Origin of purple trillium

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

The strong carrion-like odour of the purple trillium is attractive to flies and beetles, while bees and butterflies find the fragrance of the white trillium more to their liking.

From Ontario Teachers' Manuals: Nature Study by Ontario. Ministry of Education

After the purple trillium has done flowering, we have the painted trillium of the woods; the trillium grandiflorum is abundant at Grosse Isle.

From Picturesque Quebec : a sequel to Quebec past and present by Le Moine, J. M. (James MacPherson), Sir

But the purple trillium has an additional advantage in both smelling and looking like the same thing - a piece of raw meat past its prime.

From Wild Flowers An Aid to Knowledge of Our Wild Flowers and Their Insect Visitors by Blanchan, Neltje

Some brought handfuls of columbine from rocky nooks, and others the purple trillium, that is near of kin to Burroughs's white "wake-robin."

From Nature's Serial Story by Roe, Edward Payson

It is first cousin to the trilliums, among the prettiest of our native wild flowers, and the same bad blood crops out in the purple trillium or birthroot.

From A Year in the Fields by Burroughs, John