Trillium erectum: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 23:45, 9 February 2025

Species of flowering plant

Trillium erectum, commonly known as the red trillium, wake-robin, or stinking Benjamin, is a species of flowering plant in the family Melanthiaceae. It is native to the eastern regions of North America, particularly in the Appalachian Mountains and the Great Lakes area.

Description

Trillium erectum is a perennial herbaceous plant that typically grows to a height of 20 to 40 cm. The plant features a single, erect stem with a whorl of three broad, ovate leaves. The leaves are sessile and have a prominent venation pattern. The flower, which blooms in spring, is characterized by three dark red to maroon petals, although color variations such as white and pink exist. The petals are accompanied by three green sepals and a cluster of six stamens.

The plant emits a distinctive odor, often described as similar to rotting meat, which attracts its primary pollinators, carrion flies. This adaptation aids in the plant's reproductive process.

Habitat

Trillium erectum thrives in rich, moist, and well-drained soils, often found in deciduous forests. It prefers shaded areas and is commonly found in the understory of hardwood forests. The plant is adapted to a temperate climate and is sensitive to habitat disturbance.

Distribution

The species is distributed across eastern North America, from Quebec and Ontario in Canada to the northern parts of Georgia and Alabama in the United States. It is particularly abundant in the Appalachian Mountains and the Great Lakes region.

Conservation

While Trillium erectum is not currently listed as threatened, its populations are affected by habitat loss due to logging, urban development, and the encroachment of invasive species. Conservation efforts focus on habitat preservation and the control of invasive species to ensure the survival of this and other native trillium species.

Gallery

Trillium erectum in Stephen's Gulch Conservation Area
Close-up of red trillium flower
Comparison of red and white color varieties
White variety of Trillium erectum

Related pages

References

Case, F. W., & Case, R. B. (1997). Trilliums. Timber Press.
Gleason, H. A., & Cronquist, A. (1991). Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. New York Botanical Garden.

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-'''Trillium erectum''', also known as [[red trillium]], [[wake-robin]], [[purple trillium]], [[Beth root]], or [[stinking Benjamin]], is a species of [[flowering plant]] in the family [[Melanthiaceae]]. Native to the east and north-east of [[North America]], it is a [[spring ephemeral]], an early blooming plant that flowers in the spring and dies back to its underground parts after a short growth and reproduction phase.
+{{short description|Species of flowering plant}}
+{{Taxobox
+| name = Trillium erectum
+| image = Trillium_erectum_-_Stephen's_Gulch_CA.jpg
+| image_caption = Trillium erectum in Stephen's Gulch Conservation Area
+| genus = Trillium
+| species = T. erectum
+| authority = L.
+}}
-== Description ==
+'''Trillium erectum''', commonly known as the '''red trillium''', '''wake-robin''', or '''stinking Benjamin''', is a species of flowering plant in the family [[Melanthiaceae]]. It is native to the eastern regions of [[North America]], particularly in the [[Appalachian Mountains]] and the [[Great Lakes]] area.
-'''Trillium erectum''' is a [[perennial plant]] that grows from a thick [[rhizome]]. It has a single, unbranched stem with three large leaves arranged in a whorl about mid-way up the stem. The leaves are broadly ovate (egg-shaped) and have a pointed tip. The flower is borne on a short stalk at the top of the stem. The flower has three dark red (sometimes white or pink) petals, with a cluster of yellow stamens in the center.
-== Habitat and Distribution ==
+==Description==
-'''Trillium erectum''' is found in the eastern and northeastern regions of North America, from [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] north to [[Quebec]] and [[New Brunswick]], and west to [[Minnesota]]. It grows in rich, moist, deciduous or mixed deciduous-coniferous forests, often on north-facing slopes.
+Trillium erectum is a perennial herbaceous plant that typically grows to a height of 20 to 40 cm. The plant features a single, erect stem with a whorl of three broad, ovate leaves. The leaves are sessile and have a prominent venation pattern. The flower, which blooms in spring, is characterized by three dark red to maroon petals, although color variations such as white and pink exist. The petals are accompanied by three green sepals and a cluster of six stamens.
-== Uses ==
+The plant emits a distinctive odor, often described as similar to rotting meat, which attracts its primary pollinators, carrion flies. This adaptation aids in the plant's reproductive process.
-Historically, '''Trillium erectum''' was used by [[Native Americans]] as a medicinal plant. The root was used as an aid in childbirth, hence the name "Beth root" (a corruption of "birth root"). Today, it is primarily grown as an ornamental plant in gardens for its attractive flowers.
-== Conservation ==
+==Habitat==
-Like many species of [[trillium]], '''Trillium erectum''' is threatened by habitat loss due to development and by collection from the wild. It is protected by law in some states and provinces.
+Trillium erectum thrives in rich, moist, and well-drained soils, often found in deciduous forests. It prefers shaded areas and is commonly found in the understory of hardwood forests. The plant is adapted to a temperate climate and is sensitive to habitat disturbance.
-== References ==
+==Distribution==
-<references />
+The species is distributed across eastern North America, from [[Quebec]] and [[Ontario]] in [[Canada]] to the northern parts of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] and [[Alabama]] in the [[United States]]. It is particularly abundant in the [[Appalachian Mountains]] and the [[Great Lakes]] region.
+==Conservation==
+While Trillium erectum is not currently listed as threatened, its populations are affected by habitat loss due to logging, urban development, and the encroachment of invasive species. Conservation efforts focus on habitat preservation and the control of invasive species to ensure the survival of this and other native trillium species.
+==Gallery==
+<gallery>
+File:Trillium_erectum_-_Stephen's_Gulch_CA.jpg|Trillium erectum in Stephen's Gulch Conservation Area
+File:Red_Trillium_Close_Up.jpg|Close-up of red trillium flower
+File:Trillium_erectum_comparing_red_and_white_color_varieties.jpg|Comparison of red and white color varieties
+File:Trillium_erectum_album.jpg|White variety of Trillium erectum
+</gallery>
+==Related pages==
+* [[Trillium]]
+* [[Melanthiaceae]]
+* [[Appalachian Mountains]]
+==References==
+* Case, F. W., & Case, R. B. (1997). ''Trilliums''. Timber Press.
+* Gleason, H. A., & Cronquist, A. (1991). ''Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada''. New York Botanical Garden.
+[[Category:Trillium|erectum]]
 [[Category:Flora of North America]]
-[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
+[[Category:Plants described in 1753]]
-[[Category:Trillium]]
-{{Flora-stub}}