purple trillium

American  

noun

1. birthroot.

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Etymology

Origin of purple trillium

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

purple trillium

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

Some weeks after the jubilant, alert robins have returned from the South, the purple trillium unfurls its unattractive, carrion-scented flower.

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

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

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