Trillium erectum Linnaeus. Subgenus: Trillium. Common name: Red Trillium, Purple Trillium, Stinking Willie, Stinking Benjamin, Wake-robin. Phenology: Apr-early Jun; Jul-Aug. Habitat: Wooded slopes, usually at middle to high elevations. Distribution: NB, QC, and MI south to w. NC, nw. SC, n. GA, e. TN, IN, and se. WI.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Taxonomy Comments: In a limited study, Trillium erectum var. album was apparently as genetically distinct from T. erectum var. erectum as are other members of the Trillium erectum complex (K.G. Mathews, pers. comm., 2006). Additional study is needed.
Other Comments: Petals maroon, yellow, green, or various intermediate shades.
Synonymy ⓘ: = Can, NS, POWO, Floden & Knapp (2023); >< Trillium album (Michx.) Small — S, S13; < Trillium erectum L. — C, G, K4, Mi, NE, NY, Tat, Va, W, Case & Case (1997), Patrick (1986), Patrick (2007); >< Trillium erectum L. — S, S13; > Trillium erectum L. var. album (Michx.) Pursh — FNA26, Il, Pa, Tn; > Trillium erectum L. var. blandum Jennison — F; < Trillium erectum L. var. erectum — RAB, WV; > Trillium erectum L. var. erectum — FNA26, Il, Pa, Tn; >< Trillium erectum L. var. erectum — F; > Trillium erectum L. var. rubrum Clute. Basionym: Trillium erectum L. 1753
Links to other floras: > Trillium erectum var. erectum - FNA26; > Trillium erectum var. album - FNA26
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FAC
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU
- Midwest: UPL
- Northcentral & Northeast: FACU
Heliophily ⓘ: 1
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© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Trillium erectum, Clay County, North Carolina 1 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Trillium erectum, Pisgah Ridge, Blue Ridge Parkway, Haywood County, North Carolina 1 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Trillium erectum (color complex), Stony Bald, Blue Ridge Parkway, Buncombe County, North Carolina 2 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Trillium erectum (color complex), Stony Bald, Blue Ridge Parkway, Buncombe County, North Carolina 5 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect perennial of wooded slopes, usually at middle to high elevations.
Stems: Stems unbranched, green to purple, smooth.
Leaves: Leaves 3 in a single whorl at top of plant, mostly sessile, broadly oval to diamond-shaped, 2-8 in. long and often wider than long, smooth.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flower solitary, held perpendicular to leaves on a long, erect stalk arising from center of leaf whorl; maroon or white (rarely pink, yellow or green); 1 1/2-3 1/2 in. wide; consisting of 3 lance-shaped petals, 3 green and maroon sepals, 6 yellow or maroon anthers, and a maroon ovary.
Fruits: Fruit a dull purple-red, 3-celled, fleshy capsule resembling a berry.
Comments: Flowers have a "fishy" fragrance.
Height: 6-24 in.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Erect perennial of wooded slopes, usually at middle to high elevations.
stems: Stems unbranched, green to purple, smooth.
leaves: Leaves 3 in a single whorl at top of plant, mostly sessile, broadly oval to diamond-shaped, 2-8 in. long and often wider than long, smooth.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flower solitary, held perpendicular to leaves on a long, erect stalk arising from center of leaf whorl; maroon or white (rarely pink, yellow or green); 1 1/2-3 1/2 in. wide; consisting of 3 lance-shaped petals, 3 green and maroon sepals, 6 yellow or maroon anthers, and a maroon ovary.
fruits: Fruit a dull purple-red, 3-celled, fleshy capsule resembling a berry.
comments: Flowers have a "fishy" fragrance.
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: eastern North America
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