Jeweled Wakerobin is a spring-flowering, herbaceous perennial wildflower in the trillium family (Melanthiaceae). It is found in the Appalachian mountains of the southeastern U.S., including NC, where it is a NC Threatened species. The species epithet means “similar.” When the species was first described in 1906 it was said to be similar to another southeastern U.S. species, Trillum rugelii . This species grows best in shady sites in moist, humus-rich soil. They usually go dormant by mid-summer. Avoid overwatering in the summer. Flowers are usually fragrant, white to slightly pink-tinged and bloom in spring. Jeweled wakerobin is a larval host plant for the black-patched clepsis moth ( Clepsis melaleucanus ) and American angle shades moth ( Euplexia benesimilis ) . Small mammals and ants enjoy the seeds and berries as a food source. The jeweled wakerobin can be used in native plant, shade or pollinator gardens. The plant spreads slowly by rhizomes and will form colonies if left undisturbed. 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.
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 pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
NC region
Mountains
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in. | Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Whorled
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
3 large green bracts occur in a whorl and often overlap.
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Cup; Saucer
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Flowers have 3 white petals with a purple ovary. In North Carolina, the blooms are available from March to May. The flower smells of green apples.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Black; Purple/Lavender
Fruit type
Berry; Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
6- parted berry-like capsule with seeds dispersed by ants. In North Carolina, the purple-black fruits are available from June to July.
Stem color
Green; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Round green to reddish-purple stem
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Southeastern U.S.A.
Distribution
TN, GA, NC, SC
Wildlife value
Host plant for larvae of black-patched clepsis moth (Clepsis melaleucanus) and American angle shades moth (Euplexia benesimilis). Small mammals and ants enjoy the seeds and berries as a food source.