Red trillium is an herbaceous perennial wildflower native to North America. It is a member of the trillium family (Melanthiaceae). It tends to occur in drier habitats and is typically found on acid soils, in open dry or rich mesic woods, within laurel and rhododendron thickets at mid to high elevations. The species epithet means erect. Plant in moist, acidic, humus-rich sand, clay, or loam soil with part sun to shade (sun in early spring). The three-petaled flower is often red to maroon with yellow anthers but can also be pinkish, greenish or yellow. The white-flowered variant is recognized as T. erectum var. album . It occurs on a recurved stem above the large green bracts that can be up to 7 inches long. The flower does not produce nectar, but its fetid odor attracts pollinators such as flies, beetles and fungus gnats. Host plant for larvae of black-patched clepsis moth ( Clepsis melaleucanus ) and American angle shades moth ( Euplexia benesimilis). Suitable for wooded or naturalized areas. It is very cold hardy but is sensitive to heat. 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
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 6 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Whorled
Leaf shape
Ovate; Rhomboidal
Leaf margin
Entire; Undulate
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Broadly oval to almost diamond-shaped leaves that are actually bracts. They are stalkless to nearly stalkless and whorled on the stem. Up to 7 inches wide with margins that may curl inward
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green; Pink; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
2.5-inch 3-petaled flower with a fetid odor is borne on a recurving stem. It may take up to 15 years before a flower is produced from seed. Flowers are often maroon with yellow anthers but can also be pink, greenish-yellow, purple. In North Carolina, flowers are available from April to June.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Berry; Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
6 parted berry-like capsule with seeds that are dispersed by ants. In North Carolina, fruits are available from July to August.
Stem color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Green to reddish stem is unbranched, round and smooth
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
North America
Distribution
Manitoba, Canada east to Nova Scotia, south to Georgia and Alabama, and north to Illinois and Michigan.
Wildlife value
Flowers do not produce nectar; flies are attracted to their fetid odor. Small mammals enjoy the berries as a food source. Host plant for larvae of black-patched clepsis moth (Clepsis melaleucanus) and American angle shades moth (Euplexia benesimilis).
Attracts
Bees; Moths; Pollinators; Small Mammals
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves; Nuts
Harvest time
Summer
Fruit type
Berry; Capsule
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.
Uses (ethnobotany)
The plant has been used in herbal medicine. e American groups used the root of Purple Trillium as an aid to childbirth.