Nodding trillium is an herbaceous perennial wildflower found in northeastern North America as far south as northern Virginia. It is a member of the trillium family (Melanthiaceae). It is the northernmost trillium and is found in rich, moist woodlands and forest edges. Several varieties and forms have been described, but these are no longer recognized as distinct from the single, widespread species. The species epithet is Latin for “nodding.” It is a long-lived woodland plant needing humus-rich moist soils and part to full shade. This trillium is not a good choice for the Southeast. It has one or more unbranched stems that grow from underground rhizomes with a whorl of 3 bracts below the white to rarely pink, 3-petaled flower. The flower is on a curving stem that often hangs below the bracts. This is a species for woodland gardens. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. Slugs and snails are occasional pests and leaf spot, rust and smut are occasional disease problems. It does not transplant well. More information on Trillium .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 2 ft. 0 in. | Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Whorled
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire; Undulate
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
A whorl of three 3 to 5 in. elliptical leaves that are actually bracts to the flower and recurve upward. Edges are smooth and wavy and the tip is pointed.
Flower color
Pink; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
The flower stalk is bent downward with solitary whitish to pale pink flowers with pink-purple anthers. The petals overlap at the base to form an "s" and recurve upward. Flowers are up to 1.5 inches across and often hidden under the green bracts
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Fruit detail
Six sectioned reddish berry up to 1.25 inches with small brown seeds each with a protein-rich fleshy elaiosome attached to attract ants to disperse the seed.
Stem color
Green; Purple/Lavender
Stem detail
The stem is smooth, green to greenish-purple and 8 to 16 inches in height
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
northeastern North America
Distribution
CT, DE, IA, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, ND, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SD, VA, VT, WI, WV Canada: NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC
Attracts
Pollinators
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves; Nuts
Harvest time
Summer
Fruit type
Berry
Edibility
EDIBLE PARTS: Young, unfolding leaves HARVEST TIME: Only collect leaves from areas you know have NOT been treated with pesticides. SAFE HANDLING PROCEDURES: Wash leaves in warm water to remove dirt and debris. Do not use dish detergent or any type of sanitizer. These products can leave a residue. Cook in boiling, salted water for ten minutes and serve like greens. SOURCE: Crowhurst, A. 1972. The Weed Cookbook. Lancer Books, Inc. New York, 190 pp.