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Toadshade trillium is a native perennial found in the eastern United States and the Ozarks. The stemless flowers have 3 upright maroon petals with a foul smell that attracts flies and beetles for pollination. Bloom time is April-May. A six-parted, berry-like capsule has seeds that are dispersed by ants. Three stalkless, oval-shaped leaves that are actually bracts grow in a whorl. They are in mottled shades of green and up to 4 inches long. The stout, round stem is green to reddish-purple. Toadshade trillium will slowly spread by rhizomes to form clumps. It goes dormant by mid-summer, especially if the soil dries out.

 

This plant is also known as red trillium, toad trillium, sessile trillium, and wood lily.  

 

Native habitat includes rich, moist woods; limestone woods; floodplains, and along fence rows. Ideal for naturalizing in woodland settings.

 

Plant Characteristics:

Grows 4-12" tall and 6-12" wide.

 

Prefers dappled sunlight, part shade, or full shade.

 

Prefers humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils 

 

Wildlife Value:

Attracts beetles and flies for pollination. Small mammals eat the fruits.

 

Medicinal, Edible, and Other Uses:

Some foragers boil the young, unfolding leaves for 10 minutes in salted water and eat them as greens.

 

Caution: Only collect leaves from areas that have not been treated with pesticides. The fruits and roots are considered to be toxic.

 

Resources:

North Carolina Extension: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trillium-sessile/

 

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Trillium, Toadshade, Trillium sessile

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