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Trillium flexipes is often confused with:
Trillium cernuum Flower
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Trillium cuneatum Form
Trillium erectum Flowers
Trillium sulcatum Native habitat

Drooping Trillium Trillium flexipes

Phonetic Spelling
TRIL-ee-um FLEKS-ih-pees
Description

White Trillium is a native perennial wildflower in the lily family. Native to North Carolina, it is found in the mountains in moist coves over mafic or calcareous rocks. It prefers dappled shade and moist, high organic matter, loamy soils with a layer of leaf litter to maintain moisture and temperatures.  Most of its growth occurs in early spring before the over-canopy trees leaf out.  Showy white three-petaled flowers appear mid to late spring in woodland areas. It is dormant by mid-summer. NC Significantly Rare/Historical species. 

Pedicellate flowers are up to 2 inches across, white and 3-petaled and often nod beneath the large bracts on recurved stems. The plant forms clumps over time. Plant in woodland or naturalized areas. This plant will not do well in hot summer areas.

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#white flowers#moth caterpillar host#native perennials#shade garden#spring flowers#showy fruits#moist soil#NC native#well-drained soil#perennial flowers#rich soils#small and large mammals#red fruits#native garden#mountains#summer interest#spring interest#alkaline soils tolerant#pollinator plant#native wildflower#clumping#flowers late spring#larval host plant#fruits summer#food source summer#forb#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#loamy soils tolerant#food source soft mast fruit#partial shade tolerant#ants#shade flowers#bee friendly#Audubon#heavy shade tolerant#flowers midspring#perennial#wildflower#wildlife friendly#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#white flowers#moth caterpillar host#native perennials#shade garden#spring flowers#showy fruits#moist soil#NC native#well-drained soil#perennial flowers#rich soils#small and large mammals#red fruits#native garden#mountains#summer interest#spring interest#alkaline soils tolerant#pollinator plant#native wildflower#clumping#flowers late spring#larval host plant#fruits summer#food source summer#forb#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#loamy soils tolerant#food source soft mast fruit#partial shade tolerant#ants#shade flowers#bee friendly#Audubon#heavy shade tolerant#flowers midspring#perennial#wildflower#wildlife friendly#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Trillium
    Species:
    flexipes
    Family:
    Melanthiaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Trilliums have been used in herbal medicine
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern and central U.S.A., southern Ontario
    Distribution:
    AL , AR , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , MD , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NY , OH , PA , SD , TN , VA , WI , WV Canada: ON
    Wildlife Value:
    Bees and other pollinating insects enjoy the nectar from the flowers. Moths use this plant as a larval host. Ants and small mammals enjoy the fruits as a food source.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Wildlife Food Source
    Wildlife Larval Host
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    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
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    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 dispersed by ants. In North Carolina, the red fruits are available in July.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Three petaled 1 1/2" -2" long single flower on a nodding peduncle, 3 green sepals, and 6 stamens. Flowers appear mid-late spring; April in North Carolina. Pedicellate flowers often nod beneath the leaves. Flowers are rarely reddish.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Obovate
    Rhomboidal
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Up to 6 1/2" long green leaves that are actually bracts have entire margins. Three leaves whorled around a stem. The tip is blunt and the base is wedge-shaped with parallel veins.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Light green and hairless stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Moths
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals