Vasey's trillium is a large, herbaceous perennial wildflower that is found in the southern part of the Appalachian Mountains in the southeastern USA. It is a member of the trillium family (Melanthiaceae). The species epithet honors the 19th-century collector of the species, George Richard Vasey (the son of George [S.] Vasey, USDA botanist and curator of the US National Herbarium). Plant it in the part to full shade in humus-rich moist soils. Trilliums generally go dormant by mid-summer. It naturally occurs in woodlands in rich moist soil. It is often confused with Trillium erectum . Vasey’s trillium is a tall plant with nodding flowers that are often found between the whorled bracts, whereas T. erectum is shorter and has nodding flowers that rest above the bracts. The dark red (or occasionally white), nodding flower is up to 4" across, making it one of the largest flowers of all the trilliums. The flowers, which have a foetid odor, attract bees, yellow jackets and other pollinating insects. It is the larval host plant for the black-patched clepsis moth ( Clepsis melaleucanus ) and American angle shades moth ( Euplexia benesimilis ) . Small mammals and ants consume the fruits and seeds. This species is appropriate for a shaded woodland, pollinator garden or native plant garden. 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 drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
Less than 12 inches; 12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Mountains
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in. | Width: 0 ft. 10 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Whorled
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
3 whorled simple leaves that are actually bracts with entire margins. 4-8 inches long and wide
Flower color
Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Maroon three-petaled flowers with three green sepals, long exserted stamens and a purple ovary. Petals are recurved backward. Nodding flowers up to 4" across with fetid odor. In North Carolina, the flowers are available from April to June.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
6-parted berry-like capsule. In North Carolina, the red-maroon fruits are available from July to August.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Unbranched green stem
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Southeastern U.S.A.
Distribution
AL, GA, NC, SC, TN
Wildlife value
Pollen and nectar of the flowers attract bees, yellow jackets, and other pollinating insects. 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 fruits as a food source.