A rare flower

Found it growing seven feet up in an old ghost tree charred by some ancient fire. Sprouting from a dark little pocket filled with soil and duff.

Western trilliums grow five to seven years before they start flowering. So I guess this one’s been hanging out up there at least that long. Just laying low, sipping rainwater and fog funneling down into its little cave.

Easy to imagine, hard to believe.

Trilliums are perennials that can live up to 25 years, so I’ll be able to check in on this one next year—maybe even beyond.

You think it’ll still be up there? Blossoming every March in its lichen-covered penthouse, looking down on all the other trilliums living more grounded lives along the forest floor?

Guess I’ll have to mark my calendar and report back next spring.

LOCATION: Mendocino coast

DATE: March 2025