Jack and I found a few rare white and green trilliums today. The green tint on the blooms is caused by a mycoplasma infection that will eventually stop the plant from reproducing. They occur in a few areas around Ontario, including our favourite forest trail where they’re a common sight.
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So, this is flower parts reverting back into regular leaves? Interesting.
Ice Swimmer,
The blooms certainly turn the same colour as the leaves. I think it’s because the infection somehow alters the genes of the plant.
I’m sad it’s an infection and not an interesting colour mutation, but the effect is still very lovely. I’d never seen this before! (I googled, apparently red trillium can get it too. Also, fun fact, it takes 7 years for the trillium to germinate and grow to flower-producing age!!)
7 years is a long time for such a small plant to mature! Thanks, rq. I also didn’t know that red trilliums could be infected. Next year I’ll be looking for them.
That is fascinating. The first one also looks like it is being eaten by something (snails? slugs?), the poor thing really is under attack!