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Discolor Toadshade Trillium discolor

Phonetic Spelling
TRIL-ee-um DIS-kol-or
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Mottled Wakerobin is a perineal herbaceous plant found in NC, SC, and GA  in rich cove and bluff forests and is restricted to the Savannah River drainage and is rare in the NC mountains. It is a plant of concern due to loss of habitat, deer browsing and invasive species. It blooms from April to May and has a flower with pale yellow petals that stand upright at the junction of the three leaf-like bract. The large bracts are light green with darker green mottling.

Grow in humus-rich well-drained moist soils in part to full shade in a woodland setting. Will not do well in coastal or Piedmont NC. It will slowly spread by underground rhizomes to form colonies that are quite beautiful in spring.

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:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#yellow flowers#shade garden#showy leaves#spring flowers#moist soil#NC native#rich soils#mountains#pollinator plant#native wildflower#NC Native Pollinator Plant#HS302#mottled leaves#wildflower#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#yellow flowers#shade garden#showy leaves#spring flowers#moist soil#NC native#rich soils#mountains#pollinator plant#native wildflower#NC Native Pollinator Plant#HS302#mottled leaves#wildflower#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Trillium
    Species:
    discolor
    Family:
    Melanthiaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Trilliums have been used in herbal medicine
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeastern United States
    Distribution:
    Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers attract pollinators, fruit attracts birds and small mammals.
    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. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Poisonous
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Spreading
    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 Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    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:
    Gold/Yellow
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Cream to pale yellow sessile flowers. The petals are rounded or spatulate with purple stamens.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Variegated
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Light green bracts with darker green morttling
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    Reddish or green stems from underground rhizomes
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Unknown
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Unknown
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Fruits
    Roots