Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
1 rating

Wednesday - April 19, 2006

From: Rochester, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Rare or Endangered Plants
Title: Endangered species of trillium on disturbed soil in New York
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

Hello, I live in Rochester New York, near a gully/ravine by woodland. Quite a gem. Anyway here's my question and concern. In the past 35 years there have been trillium in small "pockets" or single standing on a Northern facing wooded slope. Someone has bought the land and built on it. This Northern slope is now the dumping ground for tree & plant debris. The trillium try to grow, but very sparsely, under this vegetative debris (leaves, immature tree cuttings and stumps, etc.). I'm concerned because from my understanding the trillium is a rare species. ? My parents' neighbor is respectful, but hasn't seen the change in the landscape from my perspective. Anyway, what do you think? Should I mind my own business, or is the trillium's habitat rare enough to do something about? I appreciate your response!

ANSWER:

Six species of Trillium are on the list of State Protected Plants in New York. These are:

Listed as Endangered
Nodding wakerobin (Trillium flexipes)
Toadshade (Trillium sessile)

Listed as Exploitably Vulnerable
Whip-poor-will flower (Trillium cernuum)
Red trillium (Trillium erectum)
White trillium (Trillium grandiflorum)
Painted trillium (Trillium undulatum)

You can learn more about the laws and regulations for Protected Native Plants from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The USDA Forest Service provides information on Threatened and Endangered Species and the Private Landowner.

If possible, you should determine which of these species grow in your ravine and then contact the New York State Program Coordinator for the Endangered Species and Wildlife Diversity Program to see what options you might have for protecting the habitat of the trilliums..
 

More Rare or Endangered Plants Questions

Looking for crowsfoot and standing spruce for Christmas wreaths in Maryland
November 15, 2011 - Hi, When I was a young child, my family would go out in the fall to pick two different plants for making Christmas wreaths. I recently found them on the farm across the street and want to make wreaths...
view the full question and answer

Problems with transplanted Texas Madrones from Junction TX
May 13, 2014 - We planted 3 little Texas madrones last year 9 - 12 inches high. 2 of them seem to have some kind of black blight along the edges of the leaves that I don't think was the result of our late freezes. ...
view the full question and answer

Smarty Plants on Herbertia lahue
May 03, 2005 - Herbertia lahue is now blooming in Russ Pitman Park in Bellaire, TX. Below is a story about it. I heard that the plant is a protected species, but I could not find anything to confirm that. Could y...
view the full question and answer

Texas Madrone as endangered plant?
January 30, 2007 - Is the Texas Madrone on the endangered list?
view the full question and answer

Location of Agalinis acuta, sandplain gerardia.
September 12, 2009 - Where can the sandplain gerardia be found?
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.