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Art Borups Corners

Melgund Township, Northwestern Ontario

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The Nodding Trillium

Identifiable by its pale stamens and characteristic "nodding" posture, Trillium flexipes is a unique white trillium inhabiting the rich forest floors of Northwestern Ontario.
Art Borups Corners May 28, 2025
Identifiable by its pale stamens and characteristic "nodding" posture, Trillium flexipes is a unique white trillium inhabiting the rich forest floors of Northwestern Ontario.

Identifiable by its pale stamens and characteristic "nodding" posture, Trillium flexipes is a unique white trillium inhabiting the rich forest floors of Northwestern Ontario.

A Graceful Bow in the Forest

It’s late May in our corner of Ontario, and if you’re out walking the woods, keep an eye out. You might just stumble upon a plant that doesn’t demand your attention, but gently earns it: the Nodding Trillium, Trillium flexipes.

We all know the provincial flower of Ontario, that bold, white trillium that practically shouts “spring!” from the forest floor. This one? It’s different. Trillium flexipes plays it cool. Its pure white petals are there, beautifully formed, but they don’t reach for the sun. Instead, they hang down, almost as if the flower is taking a little bow, tucked modestly under its familiar trio of broad green leaves. You really have to get close, maybe even get down on your hands and knees, to appreciate its quiet elegance. Take a peek inside, and you’ll see pale, creamy stamens, a delicate contrast to the brilliant white. It’s subtle, but once you see it, you won’t forget it.

The Nodding Trillium (Trillium flexipes) displays its characteristic downward-facing white bloom, a unique feature distinguishing it from other trillium species found across Northwestern Ontario.
The Nodding Trillium (Trillium flexipes) displays its characteristic downward-facing white bloom, a unique feature distinguishing it from other trillium species found across Northwestern Ontario.

It can take years to flower

But this elegant plant holds another secret: its remarkable patience. From the moment a tiny seed takes root, it can take five to seven years for a Nodding Trillium plant to mature enough to produce its very first flower. This slow, deliberate growth cycle makes each delicate bloom a true testament to the resilience and enduring life of our natural spaces.

Beyond its visual appeal, Trillium flexipes plays a fascinating role in the forest community. It relies on a process called “ant dispersal” for its reproduction. Its seeds come equipped with a fatty, protein-rich appendage called an elaiosome, which is an irresistible snack for ants. These tiny forest workers collect the seeds, carry them back to their underground nests, consume the elaiosome, and then, in a stroke of ecological genius, discard the still-viable seed in a new location. This clever partnership helps the trillium spread and flourish, contributing to the health and diversity of our woodlands.

About the Author

Art Borups Corners

Art Borups Corners

Administrator

Art Borup’s Corners is a northern arts incubator based in Melgund Township, Northwestern Ontario, where community-led creativity, land-based practice, and digital innovation come together. Rooted in the cultural rhythms of the boreal forest and shaped by years of grassroots organizing across Ontario, Manitoba, Nunavut, and Minnesota, Borup’s Corners supports artists, youth, and community members through participatory storytelling, climate-focused projects, and creative entrepreneurship. From wild blueberry walks to immersive AI-powered exhibitions, our seasonal programs and artist residencies foster connection, skill-building, and self-determined expression—all grounded in place, culture, and care.

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Tags: SDG 15

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NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO ARTS PROGRAMS

This platform, our Northwestern Ontario hub and programs have been made possible with support from the Ontario Arts Council Multi and Inter-Arts Projects Program. We gratefully acknowledge their funding and support in making the work we do possible.

Ontario Arts Council Multi and Inter-Arts Projects Program

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Arts Incubator and Art Borups Corners Collective was seeded with strategic arts innovation funding from the Canada Council for the Arts Digital Greenhouse and the Local Services Board of Melgund. We thank them for their investment, support and bringing the arts to life.

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SUPPORTING ARTS AND RECREATION

Borups Corners Arts and Recreation supports arts and recreation in Melgund Township, Northwestern Ontario as volunteer-driven Arts Collective.

Ontario Arts Council Multi and Inter-Arts Projects Program
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