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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Trillium erectum Flowers
Trillium grandiflorum Flowers
Trillium pusillum Close up of flower
Trillium catesbaei has some other problems:
White-Tailed Deer

Trillium catesbaei

Previously known as:

  • Trillium catesbyi
  • Trillium stylosum
Phonetic Spelling
TRIL-ee-um KAYTS-bee-eye
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Catesby's trillium is an herbaceous perennial wildflower in the trillium family (Melanthiaceae) native to the Southeastern USA, including North Carolina. In nature, it can be commonly found in bottomland forests, mesic slopes, and cove forests and is common in the NC Piedmont, and rarer in the mountains and coastal areas. The species epithet honors Mark Catesby, the English naturalist who published Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands in the first half of the 18th century.

This trillium tolerates drier, warmer conditions than other trilliums and is found in acidic soils, often with rhododendrons. Plant in humus-rich well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. 

The Catesby's Trillium flowers face downward on a curved stem with 3 pink to purple or white recurved petals and 3 green bracts. It is the larval host plant the black-patched clepsis moth (Clepsis melaleucanus) and American angle shades moth (Euplexia benesimilis).

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.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#white flowers#pink flowers#moth caterpillar host#native perennial#piedmont#shade garden#showy leaves#spring flowers#showy fruits#moist soil#herbaceous#NC native#well-drained soil#perennial flowers#rich soils#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#native garden#attractive leaves#mountains#summer interest#spring interest#acidic soils tolerant#pollinator plant#native wildflower#clumping#larval host plant#fruits summer#food source summer#forb#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#mammals#food source soft mast fruit#partial shade tolerant#HS302#pink#food source flowers#shade flowers#bee friendly#Audubon#heavy shade tolerant#wildflower#wildlife friendly#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#white flowers#pink flowers#moth caterpillar host#native perennial#piedmont#shade garden#showy leaves#spring flowers#showy fruits#moist soil#herbaceous#NC native#well-drained soil#perennial flowers#rich soils#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#native garden#attractive leaves#mountains#summer interest#spring interest#acidic soils tolerant#pollinator plant#native wildflower#clumping#larval host plant#fruits summer#food source summer#forb#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#mammals#food source soft mast fruit#partial shade tolerant#HS302#pink#food source flowers#shade flowers#bee friendly#Audubon#heavy shade tolerant#wildflower#wildlife friendly#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Trillium
    Species:
    catesbaei
    Family:
    Melanthiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeastern United States
    Distribution:
    Dry oak and oak-pine forests of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
    Wildlife Value:
    Moths use this plant as a larval host. Small mammals enjoy the fruits as a food source. Deer will browse the plant
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Colorful
    Wildlife Food Source
    Wildlife Larval Host
    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.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Poisonous
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Prostrate
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    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
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Six sectioned reddish berry-like capsule up to 1.25 inches with small brown seeds each with a protein-rich fleshy elaiosome attached to attract ants to disperse the seed.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    1.5 in. solitary, erect, nodding flower; three white to pale pink to deep rose-colored, sickle-shaped petals and three sepals. In North Carolina, flowers are available from March to June. Pink with a white ovary.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    A whorl of three 1.5 to 3 in. elliptical leaves that are actually bracts of the flower on a green to purple stem. The tips are abruptly tapering.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Green to purple stem
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Moths
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Unknown
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Unknownn
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Fruits
    Roots