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Trillium cuneatum is often confused with:
Trillium luteum Flowers with mottled bracts
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Trillium erectum Flowers
Trillium grandiflorum Flowers
Trillium luteum Flowers with mottled bracts

Purple Toadshade Trillium cuneatum

Phonetic Spelling
TRIL-ee-um kew-nee-AH-tum
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Sweet Betsy is a perennial wildflower native to the piedmont and mountains of North Carolina and the southeastern USA. In nature, it can be found in rich soils of cove forests, moist slopes, and bottomlands, usually over mafic or calcareous rocks. It is one of the largest and most vigorous of the sessile Trilliums. The plant spreads by underground rhizomes.

The flowers have three petals that are usually maroon, 3 sepals and 3 bracts that are large and mottled. 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 landscape:
Shaded Slope
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#edible plant#maroon#moth caterpillar host#green flowers#native perennials#piedmont#shade garden#spring flowers#slopes#showy fruits#small mammals#moist soil#herbaceous#NC native#well-drained soil#perennial flowers#rich soils#neutral pH#small and large mammals#herbaceous perennial#native garden#small flowers#mountains#green fruits#summer interest#spring interest#acidic soils tolerant#pollinator plant#edible leaves#native wildflower#flowers late spring#flowers early spring#larval host plant#fruits summer#food source summer#fruits spring#purple fruits#forb#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source spring#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#loamy soils tolerant#maroon flowers#food source soft mast fruit#fly friendly#malodorous#partial shade tolerant#HS302#food source flowers#shade flowers#bee friendly#Audubon#flowers midspring#perennial#wildflower#wildlife friendly#woodland
  • 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:
    Bees and other pollinating insects enjoy the nectar from the flowers. Moths use this plant as a larval host. Small mammals enjoy the berries as a food source.
    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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Poisonous
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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
  • 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.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    Bracts
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Fragrant 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.
  • 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:
    3-7 inch long oval leaves ( actually bracts) are green with gray mottling and occur in threes in a whorl on the stem
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    green to purplish stems
  • 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
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Unknown
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Unknown
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Fruits
    Roots