Smiling Wake Robin Trillium undulatum
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Trillidium undulatum
- Phonetic Spelling
- TRIL-ee-um un-dew-LAY-tum
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Painted Trillium is a native, herbaceous perennial wildflower in the trillium family (Melanthiaceae). In nature, it can be found in acidic, humus-rich soils of ridges, slopes, and bog margins, mostly at high elevations and often associated with rhododendrons, hemlock, pines, or spruce. It is commonly seen in the mountains of North Carolina. The species epithet refers to the undulate, or wavey, petals.
Painted trillium is said to be very difficult to grow, and many plants offered for sale are wild-collected. Larry Mellichamp (2014) says "don't waste time and money on it."
The three large bracts (“leaves”) are in a whorl and are pedicellate. The flower is white with a dark red to purple blaze at the base and is borne on a single, erect stem in the spring. Attracts bees and other pollinating insects, moth larvae, ants, yellow jackets and mammals. Honeybees and other pollinators are attracted to the pollen of the flowers. It is a larval host plant for the black-patched clepsis moth (Clepsis melaleucanus) and American angle shades moth (Euplexia benesimilis). Small mammals eat the fruits. Ants are attracted to the seeds, which they disperse.
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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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Trillium
- Species:
- undulatum
- 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 North America
- Distribution:
- CT , GA , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WV Canada: MB , NB , NS , ON , PE , QC
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts bees and other pollinating insects, moth larvae, ants, yellow jackets, mammals. Bees and other pollinators enjoy the nectar from flowers. Host plant for larvae of black-patched clepsis moth and American angle shades moth. Honeybees and bumble bees visit for pollen and nectar. Small mammals enjoy the berries as a food source.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Edibility:
- Young, unfolding leaves. Only collect leaves from areas you know have NOT been treated with pesticides. 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. 8 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- 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
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- .5 to 1 inch 6- parted berry-like capsule with seeds that are dispersed by ants. In North Carolina, fruits are available from July to August.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The petals are wavy-margined and white with a central red to reddish-purple splotch at the base of the flower. and up to 2 inches wide. In North Carolina, flowers are available from April to May.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 2-5 inches long, broadly egg-shaped leaves that are actually bracts with a definite petiole and taper-pointed at the tip.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Unbranched green stem
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
