The spring ephemerals are really brightening up the woods now. We are fortunate in central NY to have many calcareous woodlands boasting large populations of large white trillium (Trillium grandiflorum).
All trilliums are protected in New York State because they are considered exploitably vulnerable. Plants are considered to be exploitably vulnerable when they are “likely to become threatened in the near future throughout all or a significant portion of their ranges within the state if causal factors continue unchecked” (NYCRR §193.3). While it may seem unnecessary to protect a plant that can be locally abundant, this and other trilliums are often lacking in forests with a history of disturbance, particularly forests that have established on formerly cultivated land.
References:
New York State Register and Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (NYCRR) http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/regulations.html