Red Trillium, Red Wakerobin, Southern Red Trillium

Trillium erectum 

Another Virginia native, red trillium is a springtime perennial that can be found in flower from April until June.  Luckily for us, the individual scarlet flowers can persist for up to a full month.

All the trilliums arise from an underground rhizome and have triangular-shaped leaves that whorl around an unbranched stem. As the name Trillium implies, the floral parts occur in multiples of three. The deep maroon-red color (or sometimes creamy white), along with the beautiful symmetry of the petals, sepals and leaves, make red trillium a visual gem in the forest.

A trillium primer might be in order here:  there are two basic kinds of flowers in the genus Trillium.  The distinction between the two lies in how the flower is arranged on the stem.  If the flower hangs from  its own pedicel (if the flower has a stalk), then the trillium is placed in a group called the wakerobins.  If there is no pedicel or stalk on the flower (in other words, if it appears to be sitting right on the leaves–or sessile), then the trillium is put in a group called toadshades. A good example of a toadshade can be seen here.

The flowers pictured on this page are wakerobins.  Notice how each flower hangs from a dainty pedicle, which is suspended above the leaves. The flowers have a tendency to droop over from this thin stem, hence one of the common names: “nodding wake-robin”.

Red trillium has a dark-colored ovary (red or maroon), and yellow anthers. The petal color can vary from red to creamy white.

Trillium seeds are dispersed by a variety of insects and small mammals, but especially by ants. Red trillium has been used as an herbal medicine.  It is reported to have antiseptic and astringent qualities and was used for the treatment of illnesses as far-reaching as gangrene, bleeding disorders, and snakebites.

The photos below were taken at Mountain Lake (above the lodge) and Rock Castle Creek Gorge.  The second group were taken at a spot on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Floyd. That group had a large number of white flowers mixed among the red-flowering plants. The others are from Glen Alton in mid-May and Bottom Creek Gorge Conservancy in April.

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Group 1:

Red Trillium: three petals, sepals, and leaf-like bracts

Rear view of red trillium showing the green sepals

Front view of red trillium

Nodding flowers are a distinctive feature of wake robins

Note the “nodding” habit of the flowers

Distinctive 3-part leaf

Group 2:

Red trillium

Red trillium

Southern Red Trillium: Trillium sulcatum

Southern Red Trillium: Trillium sulcatum

Southern Red Trillium: Trillium sulcatum

Southern Red Trillium: Trillium sulcatum

Red Trillium

A group of very tall (2 feet) red trillium at Glen Alton

Southern Red Trillium: Trillium sulcatum

Southern Red Trillium: Trillium sulcatum

Southern Red Trillium: Trillium sulcatum

Red Trillium from behind (Glen Alton)

Red trillium at Bottom Creek Nature Conservancy in April 2015

Red trillium at Bottom Creek Nature Conservancy in April 2015

Red trillium, or Nodding Wakerobin at Bottom Creek Nature Conservancy in April 2015

Red trillium at Bottom Creek Nature Conservancy in April 2015