Native Plants
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.
Reveal, James L.
Trillium sessile
Trillium sessile L.
Toadshade, Red Trillium, Red Wake-robin, Sessile Trillium, Sessile Wake-robin, Yellow Trillium, Yellow Wake-robin
Liliaceae (Lily Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: TRSE2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
A thick rhizome sends up a 4-12 in. stem with three broadly oval leaves at the apex. Flower sepals are spreading and green while the petals are ascending and deep-maroon. The petals elongate slightly as the flower ages and gradually turn yellowish green. The stalkless flower is directly above the 3 whorled leaves and appears closed, an impression created by its narrow, erect petals.
The flower somewhat resembles Purple Trillium (T. erectum) but is distinguished by its lack of stalk and closed appearance. Several other stalkless species that appear closed are Little Sweet Betsy (T. cuneatum), an ill-scented southeastern species with large flowers up to 3" (7.5 cm) long and weakly mottled leaves; Yellow Trillium (T. luteum), in southern and midwestern areas, with yellow, lemon-scented flowers and mottled leaves; Green Wake-Robin (T. viride), also in southern and midwestern areas, with narrow, greenish, clawed petals up to 2" (5 cm) long; and Prairie Trillium (T. recurvatum), a midwestern plant with erect, clawed, maroon petals, drooping sepals, and mottled leaves.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to about 1 foot tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , GreenBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , DC , IL , IN , KS , KY , MD , MI , MO , NC , NY , OH , OK , PA , TN , VA , WVNative Distribution: PA to IN & MO, s. to NC, AL & AR
Native Habitat: Stream, river banks. Moist, rich woods.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist, rich soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam
Propagation
Description: Plant seed outdoors in fall and water if insufficient moisture occurs during the winter. Do not disturb seedlings the first growing season. To ensure success, plant numerous seeds and thin if necessary.Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Pictures and sources for black trilliums
June 10, 2008
Do you have pictures and/or sources for Black Trilliums?
view the full question and answer
Native perennials for moist shade in Missouri
January 16, 2005
I live near Adrian, Mo (s of KC by an hour). I currently have a small hillside that is covered by trees and shaded all day and also seems to hold moisture really well. The hill seems to grow a littl...
view the full question and answer
National Wetland Indicator Status
| Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
| Status: | UPL | UPL | FACU | FACU |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Bibliography
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. LoughmillerSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
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 sessile in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Trillium sessile in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Trillium sessile
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-03-01Research By: TWC Staff