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Daily COVID-19 update for Peterborough and the greater Kawarthas region – May 25, 2020

By kawarthaNOW -

kawarthaNOW is providing a daily report of COVID-19 cases in the greater Kawarthas region.

Here’s today summary: there are 81 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area, 147 in the City of Kawartha Lakes, 16 in Northumberland County, 7 in Haliburton County, and 43 in Hastings County and Prince Edward County.

That’s a net decrease of 1 case, with 1 positive case in Kawartha Lakes transferred to a different health unit based on the person’s current residence. An outbreak at Kawartha Heights Retirement Living in Peterborough was declared over on May 25.

There has been a total of 39 deaths. The most recent death was reported on May 7 by Hastings Prince Edward Public Health.

Province-wide, there are 25,904 confirmed cases, an increase of 404 from yesterday, with 19,698 cases resolved, an increase of 221. There have been 2,102 deaths, an increase of 29 from yesterday, with 1,323 of the deaths being residents in long-term care homes, an increase of 23. A total of 619,539 tests have been completed, an increase of 8,170 from yesterday, with 3,883 tests under investigation, an increase of 667.

This report is based on data supplied by the province’s integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS), as well as any additional information supplied by hospitals. This information is at least 24 hours old, so it is not real-time data.

We publish the daily report, usually by late afternoon, with the most current information released by health units. Note that each health unit reports the information in a different way.

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Peterborough Public Health

Peterborough Public Health’s service area is the City and County of Peterborough and the Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations.

Confirmed positive: 81 (no change)
Confirmed negative: Data unavailable
Results pending: Data unavailable
Deaths: 2 (no change)
Resolved: 71 (increase of 1)
Total tests completed: Over 7,200
Institutional outbreaks: None (decrease of 1)*

*An outbreak at Kawartha Heights Retirement Living in Peterborough was declared over on May 25.

 

Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit’s service area is the City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, and Haliburton County.

Confirmed positive: 170, including 147 in Kawartha Lakes, 16 in Northumberland, 7 in Haliburton (decrease of 1)*
Probable cases: 0 (decrease of 8)
Hospitalizations: 11 (no change)
Deaths: 32 (no change)
Resolved: 143 (no change)
Institutional outbreaks: Kawartha Lakes Retirement Residence in Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Court Long Term Care Home in Fenelon Falls, Empire Crossing Retirement Home in Port Hope (no change)

*One positive case was transferred to a different health unit based on the person’s current residence.

 

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health’s service area is Hastings County (including Bancroft) and Prince Edward County.

Confirmed positive: 43 (no change)
Probable cases: 183 (increase of 1)
Deaths: 5 (no change)
Hospitalized: 0 (no change)
Hospitalized and in ICU: 0 (no change)
Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 0 (no change)
Recovered: 32 (increase of 1)
Total tests completed: 6,833 (increase of 144)
Institutional outbreaks: None

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Province of Ontario

Confirmed positive: 25,904 (increase of 404)
Hospitalized: 859 (decrease of 19)
Hospitalized and in ICU: 148 (no change)
Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 114 (increase of 10)
Deaths: 2,102 (increase of 29)
Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 1,323 (increase of 23, 62.9% of all deaths)
Total tests completed 619,539 (increase of 8,170)
Tests under investigation: 3,883 (increase of 667)
Resolved: 19,698 (increase of 221)

New COVID-19 cases in Ontario from May 1 to 24, 2020. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
New COVID-19 cases in Ontario from May 1 to 24, 2020. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 tests completed in Ontario from May 1 - 24, 2020. The red line is the number of tests completed daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of tests completed. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 tests completed in Ontario from May 1 – 24, 2020. The red line is the number of tests completed daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of tests completed. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)

 

For more information about COVID-19 in Ontario, visit covid-19.ontario.ca.

4th Line Theatre hosts virtual play reading by Dora award-winning Maja Ardal on June 4

By kawarthaNOW -
A promotional poster for "The Cure for Everything", written and performed by Maja Ardal. 4th Line Theatre is hosting Ardal's virtual reading of the play, which was first produced in 2010 by Theatre Passe Muraille in Toronto, on June 4, 2020 on the Zoom video platform. (Supplied photo)

Millbrook’s 4th Line Theatre has announced its second virtual play reading this spring, with a live-streamed performance of Maja Ardal’s one-person show The Cure for Everything on Thursday, June 4th.

The play is a follow-up to Adral’s You Fancy Yourself, which 4th Line also presented as a virtual play reading on May 7th. That play was nominated for three Dora awards, with Ardal winning for outstanding performance.

“Maja’s writing and performance is a master class in both writing and acting,” says 4th Line’s managing artistic director Kim Blackwell.

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The Cure for Everything, which 4th Line describes as “wildly entertaining” in a media release, tells the story of Elsa, a typical 15-year-old girl growing up in the early 1960s.

“Her world revolves around independence, boys and being popular at school, despite growing concerns surrounding the Cuban missile crisis,” according to the media release. “Knee-deep in teenage angst, her mission is clear: get drunk for the first time and lose her virginity before the world blows up. Though Elsa is old enough to feel the tense political climate, she is young enough to believe there might be a cure for everything.”

“A comedic and compassionate play, The Cure for Everything is a coming-of-age story about a teenager who discovers that the world is more complex that she could have imagined.”

The Cure for Everything was first produced in December 2010 by Theatre Passe Muraille in Toronto, and was later presented in 2011 by Victoria Playhouse, PEI, and California International Theatre Festival.

You can enjoy The Cure for Everything as a standalone performance, or you can watch the staged reading of the first play You Fancy Yourself below or on 4th Line’s YouTube channel.

VIDEO: “You Fancy Yourself” by Maja Ardal

“Ardal proves once again that she is a talented mimic, capable of creating dozens of distinct characters with their own movements, manners and accents,” wrote J. Kelly Nestruck in a 2010 review for The Globe and Mail.

The livestream of The Cure for Everything begins at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 4th and will run for around one hour.

Related story

4th Line Theatre in Millbrook postpones first play of summer season

The free event takes place on the Zoom video platform, and is limited to the first 100 people who register at eventbrite.com/e/106416005136. Once registered, you will receive an email prior to the event with a Zoom link.

The virtual play reading is presented with funding support from Nexicom, a longtime supporter of 4th Line Theatre.

Special weather statement issued for the Kawarthas due to hot daytime temperatures

By kawarthaNOW -

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for the Kawarthas region — including Peterborough, Kawarthas Lakes, and Northumberland — due to hot daytime temperatures expected from Tuesday (May 25) through Thursday.

Daytime highs in the low thirties are expected.

Nighttime temperatures will drop below 17°C, giving some relief to the heat.

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While Environment Canada is monitoring the regions for a possible heat warning, at this time the main concern is afternoon high temperatures.

Humidex values may also be in the high thirties.

A cold front will bring lower temperatures and scattered showers to the region on Friday.

Peterborough cancels Canada Day parade

By kawarthaNOW -
A float in the Canada Day parade in Peterborough in 2010. (Photo: Peterborough Canada Day Parade / Facebook)

The City of Peterborough has cancelled the 2020 Canada Day Parade on Wednesday, July 1st to help prevent the spread of illness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The health and well-being of residents is our priority,” says Peterborough mayor Diane Therrien. “During these difficult times, let’s celebrate Canada Day apart — but together.”

Therrien suggests Peterborough residents celebrate Canada Day with their household, and by decorating front porches or balconies as a way to celebrate with neighbours.

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For an up-to-date listing on municipal services in Peterborough affected by the COVID-19 emergency, visit peterborough.ca/COVID19.

Cobourg residents respected the rules this past weekend at Victoria Park and Beach

By kawarthaNOW -
The Cobourg Police Service released this photo of Victoria Beach in Cobourg showing only small gatherings on the beach on May 23, 2020, the same day when an estimated 10,000 people gathered at Toronto's Trinity Bellwoods Park. (Photo: Cobourg Police Service)

Unlike the large crowds who gathered at Toronto’s Trinity Bellwoods Park on Saturday (May 23), Cobourg residents respected physical distancing and restrictions on public gatherings this past weekend — including at the popular Victoria Park and Beach — according to the Cobourg Police Service.

Police say the park and beach saw daytime visitors only, in small groups and adhering to public health guidelines, on both Saturday and Sunday.

Related story

More summer-like weather on the way, raising concerns about crowds at beaches and parks in the Kawarthas

“Cobourg residents have been doing their part to fight the spread of COVID-19, and we thank them for that,” says Cobourg police chief Paul VandeGraaf in a media release. “Unlike other towns and cities this weekend, Cobourg community members continued to follow the new guidelines released by the town on Friday. We would like to thank residents for their continued effort and cooperation. Your actions are making a difference.”

To date, Cobourg police have issued four violations under Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act — including one issued to a business in downtown Cobourg that opened its outdoor patio to serve customers on Saturday night (May 23).

Victoria Park in Cobourg was empty when the Cobourg Police Service took this photo on May 24, 2020. Police say both the park and beach saw daytime visitors only, in small groups and adhering to public health guidelines, on the weekend. (Photo: Cobourg Police Service)
Victoria Park in Cobourg was empty when the Cobourg Police Service took this photo on May 24, 2020. Police say both the park and beach saw daytime visitors only, in small groups and adhering to public health guidelines, on the weekend. (Photo: Cobourg Police Service)

Cobourg police say they have been using a collaborative and educational approach in enforcing the province’s emergency orders, laying charges only as a last resort, and that this approach has been effective.

“Cobourg residents continue to demonstrate their commitment to the health and safety of the community,” police state in a media release.

Kawartha Rotary surprises Peterborough grocery store workers with gift cards

By kawarthaNOW -
Grocery store workers at Foodland on Hunter Street in Peterborough with Tim Hortons gift cards distributed by the Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha to thank the workers for their service. (Photo courtesy of Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha)

The Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha wanted to thank some of the people in our community who are working to keep the shelves stocked and food on our tables during the COVID-19 pandemic.

So last Friday (May 22), Rotarians visited three grocery stores in Peterborough to distribute Tim Hortons gift cards to workers.

The three grocery stores, which were chosen through a random draw, were No Frills on George Street, Farmboy on Lansdowne Street, and Foodland on Hunter Street.

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A total of 100 gift cards, each worth $5 at Tim Hortons, were distributed to the grocery store workers.

In a media release, Kawartha Rotary says the workers were pleasantly surprised by this unexpected gesture.

Grocery store workers at No Frills on George Street with their Tim Hortons gift cards distributed by the Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha. Rotarians distributed a total of 100 gift cards to workers at three local grocery stores to thank them for their service. (Photo courtesy of Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha)
Grocery store workers at No Frills on George Street with their Tim Hortons gift cards distributed by the Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha. Rotarians distributed a total of 100 gift cards to workers at three local grocery stores to thank them for their service. (Photo courtesy of Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha)
Farmboy on Lansdowne Street in Peterborough was one of three local grocery stores randomly selected by Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha to receive $5 gift cards for Tim Hortons. (Photo courtesy of Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha)
Farmboy on Lansdowne Street in Peterborough was one of three local grocery stores randomly selected by Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha to receive $5 gift cards for Tim Hortons. (Photo courtesy of Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha)

Daily COVID-19 update for Peterborough and the greater Kawarthas region – May 24, 2020

By kawarthaNOW -

kawarthaNOW is providing a daily report of COVID-19 cases in the greater Kawarthas region.

Here’s today summary: there are 81 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area, 148 in the City of Kawartha Lakes, 16 in Northumberland County, 7 in Haliburton County, and 43 in Hastings County and Prince Edward County.

That’s an increase of 2 new cases, reported in the Peterborough area. Note: the most recent report from Hastings Prince Edward Public Health is May 22; the next report will be available on May 25.

There has been a total of 39 deaths. The most recent death was reported on May 7 by Hastings Prince Edward Public Health.

Province-wide, there are 25,500 confirmed cases, an increase of 460 from yesterday, with 19,477 cases resolved, an increase of 331. There have been 2,073 deaths, an increase of 25 from yesterday, with 1,300 of the deaths being residents in long-term care homes, an increase of 18. A total of 611,369 tests have been completed, an increase of 11,383 from yesterday, with 3,216 tests under investigation, a decrease of 2,655.

This report is based on data supplied by the province’s integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS), as well as any additional information supplied by hospitals. This information is at least 24 hours old, so it is not real-time data.

We publish the daily report, usually by late afternoon, with the most current information released by health units. Note that each health unit reports the information in a different way.

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Peterborough Public Health

Peterborough Public Health’s service area is the City and County of Peterborough and the Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations.

Confirmed positive: 81 (increase of 2)
Confirmed negative: Data currently unavailable
Results pending: Data currently unavailable
Deaths: 2 (no change)
Resolved: 70 (increase of 1)
Total tests completed: Over 7,150
Institutional outbreaks: Kawartha Heights Retirement Living in Peterborough (no change)

 

Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit’s service area is the City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, and Haliburton County.

Confirmed positive: 171, including 148 in Kawartha Lakes, 16 in Northumberland, 7 in Haliburton (no change)
Probable cases: 8 (no change)
Hospitalizations: 11 (no change)
Deaths: 32 (no change)
Resolved: 143 (increase of 2)
Institutional outbreaks: Kawartha Lakes Retirement Residence in Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Court Long Term Care Home in Fenelon Falls, Empire Crossing Retirement Home in Port Hope (no change)

 

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health’s service area is Hastings County (including Bancroft) and Prince Edward County.

Confirmed positive: 43 (no change)*
Probable cases: 182 (decrease of 1)*
Deaths: 5 (no change)*
Hospitalized: 0 (no change)*
Hospitalized and in ICU: 0 (no change)*
Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 0 (no change)*
Recovered: 31 (no change)*
Total tests completed: 6,689 (increase of 189)*
Institutional outbreaks: None*

*Based on last update on May 22. Next update will be on May 25.

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Province of Ontario

Confirmed positive: 25,500 (increase of 460)
Hospitalized: 878 (decrease of 34)
Hospitalized and in ICU: 148 (increase of 1)
Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 104 (decrease of 15)
Deaths: 2,073 (increase of 25)
Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 1,300 (increase of 18, 62.7% of all deaths)
Total tests completed 611,369 (increase of 11,383)
Tests under investigation: 3,216 (decrease of 2,655)
Resolved: 19,477 (increase of 331)

New COVID-19 cases in Ontario from May 1 to 23, 2020. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the blue line is a projected linear trend of the rate of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
New COVID-19 cases in Ontario from May 1 to 23, 2020. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the blue line is a projected linear trend of the rate of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)

 

For more information about COVID-19 in Ontario, visit covid-19.ontario.ca.

More summer-like weather on the way, raising concerns about crowds at beaches and parks in the Kawarthas

By kawarthaNOW -
Pre-pandemic crowds at Victoria Beach on Lake Ontario in Cobourg, popular with both residents and out-of-town visitors from Toronto. (Photo courtesy of Linda McIlwain)

The hot weather being forecast for next week is raising questions about the potential for crowds at beaches and parks in the Kawarthas during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Monday, Environment Canada is forecasting a high of 29°C (with the humidex making it feel like 34°C), followed by two days of 30°C temperatures on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

Along with the many municipally operated parks, there are almost 100 public beaches across the Kawarthas. This will be the first time during pandemic that we’ve experienced several days in a row of hot weather, raising concerns that crowds of people may flood parks and beaches to find relief from the heat — especially since municipal splash pads and wading pools remain closed.

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That’s what happened on Saturday (May 23) at Trinity Bellwoods Park in Toronto, when an estimated 10,000 people packed themselves into the park after it was reopened to the public.

Almost everyone in the crowd was ignoring physical distancing guidelines and there were many individual groupings of more than five people, breaking the province’s emergency order that prohibits such gatherings. And, contrary to the recent recommendations of both the federal and provincial governments, there was not a face covering in sight.

“People were engaging in just incredibly disappointing behaviour,” says Toronto mayor John Tory, who said he will considering closing the park to the public if flagrant violations of public safety directives continue.

While police officers were at Trinity Bellwoods Park, they did not issue any tickets as they felt they could not safely navigate the crowds to do so.

In Peterborough, the popular beaches at Beavermead Park and Roger’s Cove remain closed, as do splash pads and wading pools in parks. However, picnic areas and shelters at parks have reopened.

Related story

Peterborough beaches, splash pads, and wading pools remain closed

The parking lots at Beavermead Park and Roger’s Cove were filled with cars on Saturday (May 23). Although most people appeared to be adhering to physical distancing directives, there were some small gatherings of people fishing and having picnics.

In Kawartha Lakes, all outdoor recreational amenities remain closed, including all beaches.

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In Cobourg in Northumberland County, while splash pads and wading pools in parks remain closed, the municipality has reopened its popular Victoria Beach.

Town council decided on May 11th to keep the beach open and enforce physical distancing guidelines, rather than to close the beach and erect fencing and barriers while the province’s state of emergency continues.

On the Victoria Day long weekend, hundreds of people were on the beach according to deputy mayor Suzanne Seguin. Some councillors expressed particular concerns about out-of-town visitors coming to the beach, and agreed to revisit the issue at its next meeting on June 1st.

In the interim, by-law officers will be monitoring Victoria Beach to enforce the restriction on gatherings of more than five people.

After 12 days of daily increases of less than 400 for new COVID-19 cases in the province, Ontario has seen four straight days of increases of over 410 cases, leading some people to speculate whether warmer weather earlier in May has increased the spread of the virus. On Sunday (May 24), there were 460 new cases — the highest daily increase since May 7th.

 

The story has been updated with the latest COVID-19 case count from Ontario Public Health.

Daily COVID-19 update for Peterborough and the greater Kawarthas region – May 23, 2020

By kawarthaNOW -

kawarthaNOW is providing a daily report of COVID-19 cases in the greater Kawarthas region.

Here’s today summary: there are 79 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area, 148 in the City of Kawartha Lakes, 16 in Northumberland County, 7 in Haliburton County, and 43 in Hastings County and Prince Edward County.

That’s an increase of 1 case, with 1 new case reported in Kawartha Lakes. Note: the most recent report from Hastings Prince Edward Public Health is May 22; the next report will be available on May 25.

There has been a total of 39 deaths. The most recent death was reported on May 7 by Hastings Prince Edward Public Health.

Province-wide, there are 25,040 confirmed cases, an increase of 412 from yesterday, with 19,146 cases resolved, an increase of 279. There have been 2,048 deaths, an increase of 27 from yesterday, with 1,282 of the deaths being residents in long-term care homes, an increase of 20. A total of 599,986 tests have been completed, an increase of 11,028 from yesterday, with 5,871 tests under investigation, an increase of 355.

This report is based on data supplied by the province’s integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS), as well as any additional information supplied by hospitals. This information is at least 24 hours old, so it is not real-time data.

We publish the daily report, usually by late afternoon, with the most current information released by health units. Note that each health unit reports the information in a different way.

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Peterborough Public Health

Peterborough Public Health’s service area is the City and County of Peterborough and the Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations.

Confirmed positive: 79 (no change)
Confirmed negative: Data currently unavailable
Results pending: Data currently unavailable
Deaths: 2 (no change)
Resolved: 69 (no change)
Total tests completed: Over 7,200
Institutional outbreaks: Kawartha Heights Retirement Living in Peterborough (no change)

 

Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit’s service area is the City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, and Haliburton County.

Confirmed positive: 171, including 148 in Kawartha Lakes, 16 in Northumberland, 7 in Haliburton (increase of 2)
Probable cases: 8 (decrease of 1)
Hospitalizations: 11 (no change)
Deaths: 32 (no change)
Resolved: 141 (increase of 2)
Institutional outbreaks: Kawartha Lakes Retirement Residence in Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Court Long Term Care Home in Fenelon Falls, Empire Crossing Retirement Home in Port Hope (no change)

 

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health’s service area is Hastings County (including Bancroft) and Prince Edward County.

Confirmed positive: 43 (no change)*
Probable cases: 182 (decrease of 1)*
Deaths: 5 (no change)*
Hospitalized: 0 (no change)*
Hospitalized and in ICU: 0 (no change)*
Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 0 (no change)*
Recovered: 31 (no change)*
Total tests completed: 6,689 (increase of 189)*
Institutional outbreaks: None*

*Based on last update on May 22. Next update will be on May 25.

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Province of Ontario

Confirmed positive: 25,040 (increase of 412)
Hospitalized: 912 (decrease of 49)
Hospitalized and in ICU: 147 (decrease of 6)
Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 119 (decrease of 1)
Deaths: 2,048 (increase of 27)
Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 1,282 (increase of 20, 62.6% of all deaths)
Total tests completed 599,986 (increase of 11,028)
Tests under investigation: 5,871 (increase of 355)
Resolved: 19,146 (increase of 279)

New COVID-19 cases in Ontario from May 1 to 22, 2020. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the blue line is a projected linear trend showing an overall decrease in the number of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
New COVID-19 cases in Ontario from May 1 to 22, 2020. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the blue line is a projected linear trend showing an overall decrease in the number of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)

 

For more information about COVID-19 in Ontario, visit covid-19.ontario.ca.

Nine things you may not know about trilliums

By kawarthaNOW -
The white trillium (trillium grandiflorum) is Ontario's official floral emblem. Although the trillium is a perennial plant, as a spring ephemeral it's very fragile, which is why picking it is a bad idea. It takes up to 10 years before the plant produces its first bloom, which lasts for around three weeks in the early spring. (Photo: Ontario Parks)

Trilliums are in full bloom in forests and woodlands across Ontario, with many photos of the memorable flower being shared across social media.

People are most familiar with the white trillium (trillium grandiflorum), which is Ontario’s official flower, but there are actually 50 species of trillium native to temperate regions of North America and Asia.

Here are nine things you may not know about trilliums:

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1. Trillium roots were once used to treat wounds and during childbirth

The trillium is also known as birthroot or birthwort, because of how the plants were used medicinally.

The roots of several species contain chemical compounds called sapogenins that act as astringents, antiseptics, coagulants, expectorants, and uterine stimulants. North America’s indigenous peoples used the roots to treat open wounds and inflammation, and during childbirth.

Another name for the trillium is the wakerobin — because the flowers appear in early spring before robins begin to appear.

The “tri” in the Latin word trillium means three, referring to the plant’s three leaves, three petals, and three stigmas (pollen receptors) in the flower.

 

2. If you pick a trillium bloom, the plant may not survive

Although the trillium is a perennial plant, as a spring ephemeral it’s very fragile.

The trillium blooms for a few weeks in the early spring, before the trees grow leaves, so it can get more sunlight. During this time, it collects all the nutrients in needs to survive until the following year.

If you pick the bloom, the plant won’t be able to collect sunlight and nutrients and it may take years to recover — or it may never recover.

 

There’s a pervasive myth that it’s against the law in Ontario to pick trilliums.

The reasons for this belief may be because the trillium is Ontario’s official flower, or because picking the bloom can damage or kill the plant, or maybe because the removal of any vegetation is prohibited in Ontario provincial parks (where trilliums are often found).

In 2009, it did almost became illegal to pick trilliums in Ontario. That’s when former Peterborough-Kawartha MPP and rural affairs minister Jeff Leal introduced a private members’ bill called the Ontario Trillium Protection Act.

That legislation would have made it illegal to pick or dig up the white trillium. Doing so would have resulted in a minimum $500 fine. However, although the bill passed first reading, it never became law.

 

4. The trillium became Ontario’s official floral emblem in 1937

On March 25, 1937, the Province of Ontario chose the trillium as its official floral emblem (official flower).

The Floral Emblem Act contains a single line: “The flower known botanically as the trillium grandiflorum and popularly known as the white trillium is the floral emblem of the Province of Ontario.”

During the First World War, there was a movement for Canada to choose a national floral emblem — a flower that could be planted on the graves of Canadian servicemen overseas.

A special committee of botanists to the Ontario Horticultural Association recommended the trillium be selected as the national floral emblem. A national flower was never chosen, but Ontario subsequently adopted the trillium for its own provincial flower.

 

5. The trillium has been the Ontario government’s official logo since 1964

A stylized version of the trillium has been the Ontario government’s official logo since 1964, when it was first created by the Progressive Conservative government of John Robarts.

The original trillium symbol and logotype — an “O” for Ontario with a stylized trillium inside it — was designed by Norman B. Hathaway and Wolfgang Letzin of former Toronto design firm Hathaway-Templeton.

An updated version was designed by Ernst Barenscher at Norman B. Hathaway Associates in 1972, at the request of the Progressive Conservative government of Bill Davis.

The Ontario government's trillium logo when it was created in 1964, when it was changed to the much-maligned "three men in a hot tub" version in 2006, and as it appears today.
The Ontario government’s trillium logo when it was created in 1964, when it was changed to the much-maligned “three men in a hot tub” version in 2006, and as it appears today.

Over the next 24 years, the logo pretty much remained the same. Then, in 2006, the Liberal government of Dalton McGuinty completely revamped the logo.

The new logo quickly became known as the “three men in a hot tub” logo — once you see it, you can’t unsee it — and was widely criticized both for its design and cost.

In 2019, the Progressive Conservative government of Doug Ford restored the logo to its original design with some variations.

 

6. Trilliums have a symbiotic relationship with ants

The seeds of the trillium are mainly distributed by ants, which are attracted to a fleshy structure attached to the seeds called the elaiosome.

The elaiosome is rich with nutrients, which the ants eat after they carry the seeds back to their nests.

The ants then discard the elaiosome-free seeds, either leaving them inside the earth (which protects the seeds from predators) or by ejecting them from their nests. The seeds eventually germinate and sprout into new plants.

This method of seed dispersal by ants is not unique to trilliums — it’s called myrmecochory and is used by many flowering plant species.

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7. White-tailed deer love to eat trilliums — especially the white ones

As any gardener in cottage country knows, white-tailed deer love to eat flowers and the trillium is no exception.

The large patches of trilliums that appear in Ontario woodlands in early spring make them a favourite food of the deer.

White-tailed deer are especially partial to the white trillium. They generally only eat the larger flowers, leaving smaller ones behind. The deer also help to disperse trillium seeds, but at much greater distances than ants.

In fact, many Ontario provincial parks use annual trillium surveys to understand the population density of white-tailed deer and their effect on the understory.

 

8. It takes a trillium plant up to 10 years to produce its first flower

Trilliums are very slow-growing plants.

The plant’s seeds normally take at least two years to fully germinate, with the plant itself taking between seven to 10 years to reach flowering size.

After the plant produces its first flower, it will bloom annually in early spring, with the bloom lasting for around three weeks.

Trilliums are phototropic plants, meaning that the blooms will bend towards the sun as it moves across the sky.

After the first bloom, a trillium will live another 10 to 13 years — but only if you don’t damage them.

 

9. The drooping trillium is an endangered species in Ontario

There are five native trillium species found in Ontario — the white trillium, red trillium, pinted trillium, nodding trillium, and drooping trillium — but only the latter is endangered.

In Canada, drooping trillium only grows in southwestern Ontario in the warmer climate of the Carolinian forest. There were once six known locations in the province, but today there are only two: along the Sydenham River in Middlesex County and along the Thames River in Elgin County.

The greatest threat to the drooping trillium is habitat loss and degradation caused by urban development, or habitat alteration and damage due to recreational activities such as hiking and ATV use.

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