Carolina Least Trillium Trillium pusillum
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- TRIL-ee-um poo-SILL-um
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Dwarf wakerobin is an herbaceous perennial wildflower in the trillium family (Melanthiaceae). It is native to the southeastern and south-central United States, with several described varieties. At least two varieties (one unnamed) occur in NC, where T. pusillum var. pusillum is Federally Endangered.
These plants prefer moist humus-rich acidic soils in part to full shade. Left undisturbed they will spread to eventually form colonies by rhizomes.
The dwarf wakerobin looks like a smaller version of the large-flowered trillium (T. grandiflorum). The flowers start off white aging to pale pink or lavender and occur in the spring. Pollen and nectar of the flowers attract bees, yellow jackets, and wasps. This is a larval host plant the 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.
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:
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- var. virginianum
Slightly smaller, subsessile flowers. Coastal plain of southeastern VA.
- var. virginianum
- var. virginianum
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- var. virginianum
Slightly smaller, subsessile flowers. Coastal plain of southeastern VA.
- var. virginianum
- var. virginianum
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Trillium
- Species:
- pusillum
- 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 and south-central United States
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , GA , KY , MD , MO , MS , NC , OK , SC , TN , VA , WV
- 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 fruits and seeds as a food source.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Fragrance
- 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: 0 ft. 3 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 8 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- White
- 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. In North Carolina, the white fruits are available from June to July.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Up to 1 in. long 3 wavy petaled flowers on a short to long-stalk. In North Carolina, flowers are available from March to May. White aging to pinkish in color with a white ovary and six stamens tipped with lavender or yellow anthers
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Whorl of three small (usually less than 3 in.), narrow, oblong lance-shaped leaves that are actually bracts.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Unbranched green to dark red stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
