Vasey's Trillium Trillium vaseyi
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Trillium erectum var. vaseyi
- Phonetic Spelling
- TRIL-ee-um VAS-ee-eye
- Description
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Vasey's Trillium is a native perennial wildflower that is found in the southern part of the Appalachian Mountains in the southeastern USA. It naturally occurs in cove forests, along streams or on banks in rich moist soil. It is often confused with Trillium erectum but its bloom bends down between the whorled leaves. The dark red nodding flowers are up to 4" across, with fetid odor making it one of the largest blooms of the Trilliums. Plant it in the part to full shade in humus-rich moist soils. Trilliums generally go dormant by mid summer.
Pollen and nectar of the flowers attract bees, yellow jackets, and other pollinating insects. Host plant for larvae of black-patched clepsis moth (Clepsis-melaleucana) 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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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Trillium
- Species:
- vaseyi
- 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 U.S.A.
- Distribution:
- AL, GA, NC, SC, TN
- 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-melaleucana) and American angle shades moth (Euplexia benesimilis). Small mammals and ants enjoy the seeds and berries as a food source.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Fragrance
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- 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 Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- 6-parted berry-like capsule. In North Carolina, the red-maroon fruits are available from July to August.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Maroon three-petaled flowers with three green sepals, long exserted stamens and a purple ovary. Petals are recurved backward. Nodding flowers up to 4" across with fetid odor. In North Carolina, the flowers are available from April to June.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 3 whorled simple leaves that are actually bracts with entire margins. 4-8 inches long and wide
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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
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heat
- Problems:
- Malodorous
