Trillium undulatum: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Species of flowering plant}}
{{Taxobox
{{Taxobox
| name = Trillium undulatum
| name = Trillium undulatum
| image = Trillium_undulatum.jpg
| image = Trillium_undulatum.jpg
| image_caption = Trillium undulatum in bloom
| image_caption = ''Trillium undulatum'' in bloom
| regnum = Plantae
| regnum = Plantae
| unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
| unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
Line 10: Line 9:
| familia = Melanthiaceae
| familia = Melanthiaceae
| genus = Trillium
| genus = Trillium
| species = '''T. undulatum'''
| species = ''T. undulatum''
| binomial = ''Trillium undulatum''
| binomial = ''Trillium undulatum''
| binomial_authority = Willd.
| binomial_authority = Willd.
}}
}}


'''''Trillium undulatum''''', commonly known as the painted trillium, is a species of flowering plant in the family [[Melanthiaceae]]. It is native to the northeastern [[United States]] and eastern [[Canada]].
'''''Trillium undulatum''''', commonly known as the painted trillium, is a species of flowering plant in the family [[Melanthiaceae]]. It is native to the northeastern [[United States]] and eastern [[Canada]]. This perennial herbaceous plant is noted for its striking white flowers with a distinctive pink or purple ring at the base of each petal.


==Description==
==Description==
''Trillium undulatum'' is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows from a rhizome. It typically reaches a height of 15 to 40 cm. The plant is characterized by its three broad, wavy-margined leaves that are arranged in a whorl. The leaves are typically green with a distinctive mottled pattern.
[[File:Trillium_undulatum.jpg|thumb|left|''Trillium undulatum'' in bloom]]
''Trillium undulatum'' is a perennial herb that grows from a rhizome. The plant typically reaches a height of 15 to 40 cm. It has a single whorl of three leaves, each leaf being broadly ovate and measuring 5 to 10 cm in length. The leaves are sessile and have a wavy margin, which is a characteristic feature of this species.


The flower of ''T. undulatum'' is its most striking feature. It has three white petals with a central pink or red "V"-shaped marking. The petals are wavy and can be up to 5 cm long. The flower blooms in late spring to early summer.
The flower of ''T. undulatum'' is solitary and terminal, with three white petals that are 2.5 to 4 cm long. The petals are marked with a central pink or purple stripe, giving the flower its "painted" appearance. The sepals are green and lanceolate, and the plant has six stamens and a three-lobed ovary.


==Distribution and habitat==
==Distribution and Habitat==
''Trillium undulatum'' is found in cool, moist, acidic woodlands. It prefers shaded areas with rich, well-drained soil. The species is distributed across the northeastern United States, including states such as [[Maine]], [[New York]], and [[Pennsylvania]], and extends into eastern Canada, including [[Quebec]] and [[Nova Scotia]].
[[File:Trillium_undulatum_in_the_USA.svg|thumb|right|Distribution map in the USA]]
''Trillium undulatum'' is found in the northeastern United States, including states such as [[Maine]], [[New Hampshire]], [[Vermont]], [[New York]], and [[Pennsylvania]]. It also occurs in eastern Canada, particularly in [[Quebec]] and [[Nova Scotia]].
 
This species prefers cool, moist, acidic soils and is commonly found in coniferous and mixed wood forests. It thrives in shaded areas with rich, organic matter.


==Ecology==
==Ecology==
The painted trillium is pollinated by insects, including bees and flies. The plant's seeds are dispersed by ants, a process known as myrmecochory. The seeds have a fleshy appendage called an elaiosome, which attracts ants.
[[File:2014-05-20_Bloc_B_JPA_(3).jpg|thumb|left|Habitat of ''T. undulatum'']]
''Trillium undulatum'' is an important component of the forest understory. It is pollinated by insects, particularly bees, which are attracted to its colorful flowers. The plant's seeds are dispersed by ants, a process known as myrmecochory. The seeds have a fleshy appendage called an elaiosome, which is attractive to ants.
 
==Reproduction==
[[File:Trillium_undulatum_seedling_Vermont_August_2021.jpg|thumb|right|Seedling in Vermont]]
''Trillium undulatum'' reproduces both sexually, through seed production, and asexually, through rhizome division. The seeds require a period of cold stratification to germinate, which typically occurs in the spring following dispersal.
 
==Variants==
[[File:Trillium_undulatum_(four-leaf)_Vermont_2019-07-18.jpg|thumb|left|Four-leaf variant]]
Occasionally, ''T. undulatum'' may exhibit a four-leaf variant, although this is rare. The genetic basis for this variation is not well understood.


==Conservation==
==Conservation==
''Trillium undulatum'' is considered to be of conservation concern in some areas due to habitat loss and over-collection. Efforts to conserve its habitat are important for maintaining healthy populations of this species.
''Trillium undulatum'' is not currently listed as threatened or endangered, but its habitat is sensitive to environmental changes such as logging and land development. Conservation efforts focus on preserving its natural habitat and maintaining the ecological conditions necessary for its survival.
 
==Related pages==
* [[Trillium]]
* [[Melanthiaceae]]
* [[Myrmecochory]]


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Trillium_undulatum.jpg|''Trillium undulatum'' in bloom
File:Trillium_undulatum_seedling_Vermont_August_2021.jpg|Seedling in Vermont
File:2014-05-20_Bloc_B_JPA_(3).jpg|Habitat of ''T. undulatum''
File:Trillium_fruit.jpg|Fruit of ''T. undulatum''
File:Trillium_fruit.jpg|Fruit of ''T. undulatum''
File:Trillium_undulatum_seeds_Vermont_August_2020.jpg|Seeds of ''T. undulatum''
File:Trillium_undulatum_seeds_Vermont_August_2020.jpg|Seeds of ''T. undulatum''
File:Trillium_undulatum_(four-leaf)_Vermont_2019-07-18.jpg|Four-leaf variant
File:Trillium_undulatum_in_the_USA.svg|Distribution map in the USA
</gallery>
</gallery>
==Related pages==
* [[Trillium]]
* [[Melanthiaceae]]
* [[Myrmecochory]]
==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|undulatum]]
[[Category:Trillium|undulatum]]
[[Category:Flora of the Northeastern United States]]
[[Category:Flora of the United States]]
[[Category:Flora of Eastern Canada]]
[[Category:Flora of Canada]]
<gallery>
[[Category:Plants described in 1805]]
File:Trillium_undulatum.jpg|Trillium undulatum
File:Trillium_undulatum_seedling_Vermont_August_2021.jpg|Trillium undulatum seedling in Vermont, August 2021
File:2014-05-20_Bloc_B_JPA_(3).jpg|Trillium undulatum
File:Trillium_fruit.jpg|Trillium fruit
File:Trillium_undulatum_seeds_Vermont_August_2020.jpg|Trillium undulatum seeds in Vermont, August 2020
File:Trillium_undulatum_(four-leaf)_Vermont_2019-07-18.jpg|Trillium undulatum (four-leaf) in Vermont, July 18, 2019
File:Trillium_undulatum_in_the_USA.svg|Trillium undulatum in the USA
</gallery>

Latest revision as of 18:52, 23 March 2025


Trillium undulatum, commonly known as the painted trillium, is a species of flowering plant in the family Melanthiaceae. It is native to the northeastern United States and eastern Canada. This perennial herbaceous plant is noted for its striking white flowers with a distinctive pink or purple ring at the base of each petal.

Description[edit]

Trillium undulatum in bloom

Trillium undulatum is a perennial herb that grows from a rhizome. The plant typically reaches a height of 15 to 40 cm. It has a single whorl of three leaves, each leaf being broadly ovate and measuring 5 to 10 cm in length. The leaves are sessile and have a wavy margin, which is a characteristic feature of this species.

The flower of T. undulatum is solitary and terminal, with three white petals that are 2.5 to 4 cm long. The petals are marked with a central pink or purple stripe, giving the flower its "painted" appearance. The sepals are green and lanceolate, and the plant has six stamens and a three-lobed ovary.

Distribution and Habitat[edit]

Distribution map in the USA

Trillium undulatum is found in the northeastern United States, including states such as Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, and Pennsylvania. It also occurs in eastern Canada, particularly in Quebec and Nova Scotia.

This species prefers cool, moist, acidic soils and is commonly found in coniferous and mixed wood forests. It thrives in shaded areas with rich, organic matter.

Ecology[edit]

Habitat of T. undulatum

Trillium undulatum is an important component of the forest understory. It is pollinated by insects, particularly bees, which are attracted to its colorful flowers. The plant's seeds are dispersed by ants, a process known as myrmecochory. The seeds have a fleshy appendage called an elaiosome, which is attractive to ants.

Reproduction[edit]

Seedling in Vermont

Trillium undulatum reproduces both sexually, through seed production, and asexually, through rhizome division. The seeds require a period of cold stratification to germinate, which typically occurs in the spring following dispersal.

Variants[edit]

Four-leaf variant

Occasionally, T. undulatum may exhibit a four-leaf variant, although this is rare. The genetic basis for this variation is not well understood.

Conservation[edit]

Trillium undulatum is not currently listed as threatened or endangered, but its habitat is sensitive to environmental changes such as logging and land development. Conservation efforts focus on preserving its natural habitat and maintaining the ecological conditions necessary for its survival.

Related pages[edit]

Gallery[edit]