Dwarf Wakerobin Trillium pusillum

• 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:

  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:

  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.

• Whole Plant Traits:

  Plant Type:

  Herbaceous Perennial

  Native Plant

  Perennial

  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 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

• 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.

• 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

• 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.

• 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

• Landscape:

  Landscape Location:

  Naturalized Area

  Woodland

  Landscape Theme:

  Native Garden

  Pollinator Garden

  Design Feature:

  Mass Planting

  Small groups

  Attracts:

  Bees

  Moths

  Pollinators

  Small Mammals

• 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