Trillium Fest near Hocking Hills

It was my good fortune to be invited to the Trillium Fest held at Mathias Grove in the Hocking Hills, near Rockbridge, Ohio. The wildflower display was stellar, with a vast array of species and notable variety within species.

The Queen of Ohio's Trilliums and State Flower, the Large-flowered Trillium, Trillium grandiflorum was in stunning profusion, covering the rocky out-croppings.

The other species of Trillium putting on a good show is the Red, Purple or "Wake-robin" Trillium, Trillium erectum. Pardon my fingers, but these guys droop a bit, and I want you to really note the center of these flowers.

Here is another fine specimen of "red" trillium, not quite as red is it? It also had some interesting larva activity going on- note the "worm's" cobweb-like protection and hole on the petals and leaves.

Behold, another "red" trillium. Red? How can that be? Trillium erectum gets its name for the red style in the center of the flower- not the color of the petals. Go back and study the Large-flowered Trillium and you'll see its style, located in the center of the flower is all yellow.

Both species were in glorious display, and they were just some of the interesting things we saw.