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tril·li·um | \ ˈtri-lē-əm 
\
\Definition of trillium
: any of a genus (Trillium) of herbs of the lily family with an erect stem bearing a whorl of three leaves and a solitary typically spring-blooming flower
Illustration of trillium
Examples of trillium in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web Make sure to think about color early in the season, with early-blooming species like hellebore and trillium.
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Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, "7 of the Most Common Perennial Garden Mistakes to Avoid," 18 June 2020 The mottled fronds of waterleaf came next, followed by mayapples unfurling their glossy umbrellas and the extravagant white of the first trilliums.
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John Gurda, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "A balm for coronavirus anxiety: Milwaukee's wild places, where the rhythms of nature are steady as ever," 30 Apr. 2020 Their lingering foliage offers a week or so of green respite — and then spring kicks in with effusions of dicentra, uvularias, bloodroot and trilliums, with some Italian windflowers and Virginia bluebells joining the party.
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Adrian Higgins, Washington Post, "An unsettlingly warm winter unlocks flowering treasures," 19 Feb. 2020 The scientists fan out across the open, sunny forest abloom with spring wildflowers such as jack-in-the-pulpit and red trillium.
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National Geographic, "Coyotes have expanded their range to 49 states—and show no signs of stopping.," 29 Nov. 2019 On a precociously hot day in May, Avent takes me on a golf cart tour past fields of arums, lycoris, trilliums, crinums, epimediums, colocasias, baptisias and gingers — the botany begins to blur after a few hours under the beating Carolina sun.
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Adrian Higgins, Washington Post, "This collector-grower built an Eden of rare plants. Now he tackles the challenge to preserve it.," 17 Sep. 2019 There really is quite a selection of plants that will work in your situation: sweet woodruff, hostas, ferns, bleeding heart, rhododendron, hydrangea, wild geranium, violets, trillium, hardy cyclamen.
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oregonlive.com, "Tips for success when planting under conifer and maple trees? Ask an expert," 8 June 2019 Rhododendrons, trilliums and other woodland plants line the walkway through the fir grove.
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Janet Eastman, OregonLive.com, "See four private estates during the Dunthorpe Garden Tour (photos)," 9 May 2018 More than 2 acres of gardens include vast swathes of shade-loving plants like hostas and trilliums and a liberal sprinkling of flowering woody shrubs like lilacs and rhododendrons.
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Patricia Harris And David Lyon, BostonGlobe.com, "Goin’ up the country: The rustic appeal of Maine’s Route 26," 21 June 2018
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'trillium.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for trillium
trillium
nountril·li·um | \ ˈtri-lē-əm \
\Kids Definition of trillium
: a plant related to the lilies that has three leaves and a single flower with three petals and that blooms in the spring
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Time Traveler for trillium
The first known use of trillium was circa 1760
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