Little Sweet Betsy Trillium cuneatum
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- TRIL-ee-um kew-nee-AH-tum
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Sweet Betsy is an herbaceous perennial wildflower native to the piedmont and mountains of North Carolina and the southeastern USA. It is a member of the trillium family (Melanthiaceae). It can be found in rich soils of woodlands, moist slopes, and bottomlands. The species epithet means “wedge-shaped” and refers to the shape of the petals.
It is one of the largest and most vigorous of the sessile trilliums (those with no pedicel between the bracts and the flower). The plant spreads by underground rhizomes. It has three bracts that are large and mottled. The flowers have three sepals and three petals that are usually maroon, but some plants produced greenish yellow flowers. The blossoms have a foul odor, which attracts flies. The seeds attract ants, which carry them to their nests. It is the larval host plant for the black-patched clepsis moth (Clepsis melaleucanus) and American angle shades moth (Euplexia benesimilis).
Grow this plant in moist well-drained humus-rich soils in part to full shade. Use in a shady or woodland 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.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Shaded Slope Corneille Bryan Native Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Trillium
- Species:
- cuneatum
- Family:
- Melanthiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern United States
- Distribution:
- AL , GA , IL , KY , MS , NC , SC , TN
- Wildlife Value:
- The blossoms have a foul odor, which attracts flies. The seeds attract ants, which carry them to their nests. Host plant for larvae of black-patched clepsis moth (Clepsis melaleucanus) and American angle shades moth (Euplexia benesimilis)
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- 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: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Fruits are a berry-like capsule with seeds that are dispersed by ants. In North Carolina, fruits are available from May to June.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Malodorous, sessile flowers are up to 3 in. across with 3 maroon petals and 3 green sepals; ill scented. In North Carolina, flowers are mainly maroon and are available from March to April. Flowers are sometimes yellowish bronze or reddish-green.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 3- to 7-inch long oval leaves (actually bracts) are green with gray mottling and occur in threes in a whorl on the stem
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- green to purplish stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Problems:
- Malodorous
