Red Trillium (IMAGE) Penn State Caption Red trillium is a native spring ephemeral. Spring ephemerals demonstrate the importance of seasonal understory light. This unrelated group of native herbaceous species sprout, flower and die off — all before the overstory canopy fully closes in the summer. Credit Erynn Maynard-Bean/Penn State Usage Restrictions non commercial use only License Original content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.