A delicate, orchid-like native Northwest flower

Tiger Mountain is covered with trillium this Spring — be sure to watch for them if you’re there during this weekend’s predicted sunshine. I don’t recall noticing trillium at Tiger — Kachess Ridge being the ride I’ve most associated them with year after year. Perhaps with climate disruption they are spreading to lower climes. They are predominantly white but evolve in color to a lavender and even dark purple. The Wiki says they should not be picked — what look like leaves are actually bracts that serve reproductive functions, so if you pick the flower you kill the plant.

R+E trillium logo

They’re particularly noticeable on Iverson near the mid-way point, up on the ridge before you drop down to the big bridge for the final rip down to the parking lot. Trivia point: The first time I ever wondered about trillium was seeing the wonderful R+E Cycles logo back in the 1970s. Today R+E builds custom Trillium bikes as well.