Trillium sessile Linnaeus. Subgenus: Sessilia. Common name: Sessile Trillium, Sessile Toadshade, Toad Trillium. Phenology: Mar-Apr. Habitat: Rich forests. Distribution: Primarily a species of the northern Midwest, T. sessile ranges from w. NY, s. MI, n. IL, n. MO, and e. KS south to e. VA, ne. NC, c. TN, n. AL, AR, and e. OK. The easternmost occurrences are disjunct populations east of the Blue Ridge, in MD, VA, and along the Roanoke River in ne. NC (where limited to very rich soils of natural levees and lower slopes along the Roanoke River).
ID notes: Petals maroon or green.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, C, F, FNA26, G, Il, K4, Mi, Mo1, NS, NY, Pa, POWO, S, S13, Tn, Va, W, WV, Case & Case (1997), Freeman (1975), Patrick (1986); = n/a — RAB, Tat. Basionym: Trillium sessile L. 1753
Links to other floras: = Trillium sessile - FNA26
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: UPL
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: UPL
- Midwest: FACU
- Northcentral & Northeast: FACU
Heliophily ⓘ: 2
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© Steven Baskauf | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect perennial of rich forests; in NC limited to very rich soils of natural levees and lower slopes along the Roanoke River.
Stems: Stems stout, unbranched, smooth, often tinged with red.
Leaves: Leaves 3 in a whorl at top of stem, mostly sessile, broadly oval, 1 1/2-4 in. long, with dark and light green mottling.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flower solitary in center of leaf whorl, sessile and erect, maroon, about 1 1/2 in. tall, appearing closed. There are 3 narrowly elliptic petals; 3 ascending to spreading, green, lance-shaped sepals; 6 stamens; and a purple ovary.
Fruits: Fruit a dark purple, 3-celled, 6-angled, fleshy capsule resembling a berry.
Comments: The flower has a musky fragrance.
Height: 4-12 in.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Erect perennial of rich forests; in NC limited to very rich soils of natural levees and lower slopes along the Roanoke River.
stems: Stems stout, unbranched, smooth, often tinged with red.
leaves: Leaves 3 in a whorl at top of stem, mostly sessile, broadly oval, 1 1/2-4 in. long, with dark and light green mottling.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flower solitary in center of leaf whorl, sessile and erect, maroon, about 1 1/2 in. tall, appearing closed. There are 3 narrowly elliptic petals; 3 ascending to spreading, green, lance-shaped sepals; 6 stamens; and a purple ovary.
fruits: Fruit a dark purple, 3-celled, 6-angled, fleshy capsule resembling a berry.
comments: The flower has a musky fragrance.
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: eastern United States
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