Trilliums are Here!

I found my Trillium erectum plants (red trilliums) suddenly budding and unfurling amid the leaf litter of my flower beds. I'd been looking out for them for days, and suddenly, there they were, a few days ago now (April 13).

I also have a magnificent patch of Trillium maculatum (spotted trillium). It stuns every year. The leaves are beautifully speckled and patterned, both above and below:

Since then, I've learned that what I've been referring to as leaves, are not true leaves, and are regarded as flower bracts by botanist fundis, even though they have the ability to photosynthesize - who knew?

So, I can't wait for the rest of the bedazzling flowers to open ...