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Loughmiller, Campbell and Lynn
Trillium gracile
Trillium gracile J.D. Freeman
Slender Trillium, Slender Wake-robin, Graceful Trillium, Graceful Wake-robin, Sabine River Trillium, Sabine River Wake-robin
Liliaceae (Lily Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: TRGR6
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
This lovely trillium has a natural range that essentially follows the Sabine River bottom along the border of Texas and Louisiana, and it requires the conditions found in the pine forests characteristic of that region: loose, moist but well-drained, acidic soil, medium shade, and no disturbance. Its mottled green leaves and inconspicuous blooms appear briefly in spring before disappearing for the rest of the year. In their setting, these plants are quite decorative, but they take years to become established and decades to expand into a colony. Existing plants should be treasured, as they are a sign of undisturbed woodland.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Elliptic , Oblanceolate
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Leaf Pubescence: Glabrous
Leaf Margin: Entire
Leaf Apex: Acute , Obtuse
Leaf Base: Cuneate
Leaf Texture: Smooth
Size Notes: 8 to 12 inches high
Leaf: Variegated light green and dark green
Flower: Flowers 2 inches
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , Yellow , Green , PurpleBloom Time: Apr
Bloom Notes: Color maroon, turning yellow or yellow-green with age. Some forms with yellow or yellow-green blooms. Up close, flowers have the earthy smell of morels.
Distribution
USA: AR , LA , TXNative Distribution: Extreme southwestern Arkansas down Sabine River bottom to southeast Texas
Native Habitat: Shaded pine forests
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Moist, well-drained acid sands and loams, especially the kind favored by pine trees
Conditions Comments: Prefers the conditions of a pine forest floor.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: A fine herb-layer colonizer for the woodland garden. Its presence signifies undisturbed woodland soil.Fragrant Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Propagation
Propagation Material: SeedsDescription: Fresh seed. Do not start in greenhouse; plant seed directly in soil.
Maintenance: If grown in its preferred habitat, requires no maintenance, only patience, as it takes years to establish itself and decades to form a colony.
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Pictures and sources for black trilliums
June 10, 2008
Do you have pictures and/or sources for Black Trilliums?
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From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Bibliography
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. WasowskiSearch More Titles in Bibliography
From the Archive
Wildflower Newsletter 1987 VOL. 4, NO.1 - One Million Bequest Announced, Lady Bird Johnson On Celebrating Four Years, Spri...Additional resources
USDA: Find Trillium gracile in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Trillium gracile in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Trillium gracile
Metadata
Record Modified: 2014-09-24Research By: TWC Staff, GDG