Plant DetailShow Menu

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

White Erect Trillium Trillium erectum var. album

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Trillium album
Phonetic Spelling
TRILL-lee-um ee-REK-tum AL-bum
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

White wakerobin is an herbaceous perennial wildflower native to the mountains of NC and TN. It tends to occur in drier habitats and is typically found on acid soils, in open dry or rich mesic woods, within laurel and rhododendron thickets at mid to high elevations. It is a member of the trillium family (Melanthiaceae). The varietal epithet is Latin for white.

The white three-petaled flower appears in spring and has a dark purplish ovary in the center. The bracts are green and occur in a whorl on the stem. Pollen and nectar of the flowers attract bees, yellow jackets and other pollinating insects. White wakerobin is the larval host plant for the 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.

Use in a woodland setting for naturalizing. They will spread by rhizomes to form a clump.

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 erectum.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#white flowers#moth caterpillar host#shade garden#spring flowers#NC native#mountains#acidic soils tolerant#pollinator plant#clumping#naturalized area#NC Native Pollinator Plant#partial shade tolerant#HS302#host plant#wildflower#woodland
 
Flower
Flower Cbaile19 CC0
Flower Close-up (Great Smokey Mountains,NC)
Flower Close-up (Great Smokey Mountains,NC) Stacy Hodes CC BY 4.0
Trillium with nodding white flower
Trillium erectum var. album. jopalmer CC BY-NC 4.0
Trillium with nodding white flower
Trillium erectum var. album. Bonny Kinder CC BY-NC 4.0
Trillium with nodding white flower
Trillium erectum var. album. Owen Clarkin CC BY-NC 4.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#white flowers#moth caterpillar host#shade garden#spring flowers#NC native#mountains#acidic soils tolerant#pollinator plant#clumping#naturalized area#NC Native Pollinator Plant#partial shade tolerant#HS302#host plant#wildflower#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Trillium
    Species:
    erectum
    Family:
    Melanthiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    United States
    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 berries as a food source.
    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. 10 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Poisonous
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    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
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    6 parted berry-like capsule with seeds that are dispersed by ants.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    Flower Description:
    White flower has dark ovary in the center. 3 petals
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Whorl of three stemless elliptical to broadly ovate leaves that are actually bracts.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Unbranched green stem
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Moths
    Pollinators
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Unknown
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Toxicity unknown, but caution because of its relationship with known toxic plants.
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Fruits
    Roots