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Native Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Trillium undulatum (Painted trillium)
Sherman, Doug

Trillium undulatum Willd.

Painted trillium, Painted wakerobin

Liliaceae (Lily Family)

USDA Symbol: trun

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

This trillium has a slender stalk, 8-16 in. high, with a whorl of three, large, blue-green leaves. The flower, white with purple markings, is borne above the leaves on a short, arching stem. Bright-red fruits appear in early fall. This is a perennial plant. The erect, stalked flower has an inverted, pink V at the base of each white, wavy-edged petal.

This is one of the most attractive woodland Trilliums. It is easily recognized by the splash of pink in the center of the white flower.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Flower:
Fruit: Red
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: 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
Native Distribution: Que. to Ont., s. to NJ & PA; also uplands to GA
Native Habitat: Deep, acid, sandy woods
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Moist, acid sands.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Benefit

Use Food: EDIBLE PARTS / PREPARATION: Young, unfolding leaves. Wash leaves in warm water to remove dirt and debris. Do not use dish detergent or any type of sanitizer. Cook in boiling, salted water for ten minutes and serve like greens. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)
Warning: POISONOUS PARTS: Berries and roots. Only low toxicity if eaten. Toxic Principle: Toxicity unknown, but caution because of its relationship with known toxic plants.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: Rhizome division or seed. Seeds do best when planted outdoors soon after fruits have ripened. Divide rhizomes in fall.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Michigan native plants for shady, low traffic area
May 10, 2006
Hello, I am looking for a recommendation for a Michigan native groundcover. I live adjacent to the Rouge River watershed and want to buy the right thing. The location is shady, infrequently walked ...
view the full question and answer

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery - Orefield, PA

From the Archive

Wildflower Newsletter 1987 VOL. 4, NO.1 - One Million Bequest Announced, Lady Bird Johnson On Celebrating Four Years, Spri...
Wildflower Newsletter 1993 VOL. 10, NO.2 - Berry Browsing in the Backyard, Director\'s Report, Essays on Trillium\'s, Natio...

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Trillium undulatum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Trillium undulatum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Trillium undulatum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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