Trillium undulatum: Uses (Ethnobotany)
Trilliums have been used in herbal medicine
Plant Profile: Trillium undulatum
Taxonomy: Trillium undulatumNames
Painted Lady,, Painted Trillum, Smiling Wake Robin, Striped Wake-robin
Phonetic Spelling:TRIL-ee-um un-dew-LAY-tum
Genus:Trillium
Species:undulatum
Family:Melanthiaceae
The Painted Trillium is a perennial wildflower indigenous to the mountains of North Carolina. It thrives in the acidic, humus-rich soils found on ridges, slopes, and the edges of bogs, primarily at higher elevations, and is often found in the company of Rhododendron, Tsuga, Pinus, or Picea.
In spring, this flower showcases white petals adorned with dark red to purple hues at their bases, emerging from a stem. Its large bracts are arranged in a whorled pattern and are supported by petioles.
Cultivating this plant can be quite challenging, and many specimens available for purchase are sourced from the wild. As noted by Larry Mellichamp (2014), it may be wise to "avoid wasting time and money on it."
Regarding pests and diseases, the Painted Trillium faces no significant threats. However, slugs and snails can occasionally be problematic, and issues such as leaf spot, rust, and smut may arise. Additionally, this plant does not adapt well to transplantation.
Trillium undulatum Feature Summary
Trillium undulatum Image Gallery
Tags
#red
#white
#showy flowers
#poisonous
#perennial
#white flowers
#red berries
#wildlife plant
#partial sun
#red flowers
#moths
#shade tolerant
#native perennial
#shade garden
#spring flowers
#slopes
#berries
#moist soil
#food source
#herbaceous
#NC native
#well-drained soil
#perennial flowers
#poisonous berries
#ridges
#small and large mammals
#herbaceous perennial
#red fruits
#native garden
#mountains
#hard to grow
#summer interest
#cutting garden
#spring interest
#acidic soil tolerant
#pollinator plant
#native wildflower
#wildflower garden
#late spring flowers
#early spring flowers
#larval host plant
#fruits summer
#food source summer
#forb
#NC Native Pollinator Plant
#food source herbage
#food source nectar
#food source pollen
#wet soils tolerant
#fruits
#native
#perennials
#food source soft mast fruit
#moth larvae
#Piedmont Mountains FACU
#food source mid-summer
#partial shade tolerant
#HS302
#shade flowers
#bee friendly
#bog gardens
#audubon
#heavy shade tolerant
Similar Plants
Trillium undulatum Feature Summary
Attributes
Trilliums have been used in herbal medicine
Eastern North America
CT , GA , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WV Canada: MB , NB , NS , ON , PE , QC
Attracts bees and other pollinating insects, moth larvae, ants, yellow jackets, mammals. Bees and other pollinators enjoy the nectar from flowers. Larval host for moths. Small mammals enjoy the berries as a food source.
EDIBLE PARTS: Young, unfolding leaves HARVEST TIME: Only collect leaves from areas you know have NOT been treated with pesticides. SAFE HANDLING PROCEDURES: Wash leaves in warm water to remove dirt and debris. Do not use dish detergent or any type of sanitizer. These products can leave a residue. Cook in boiling, salted water for ten minutes and serve like greens. SOURCE: Crowhurst, A. 1972. The Weed Cookbook. Lancer Books, Inc. New York, 190 pp.
Perennial
Seed
Division
Wildlife Food Source
Attracts Pollinators
Wildlife Cover/Habitat
Attractive Flowers
Wildlife Larval Host
Fruit
.5 to 1 inch 6- parted berry-like capsule with seeds that are dispersed by ants. In North Carolina, fruits are available from July to August.
Capsule
Berry
Red/Burgundy
Summer
< 1 inch
< 1 inch
Flowers
The petals are wavy-margined and white with a central red to reddish-purple splotch at the base of the flower. and up to 2 inches wide. In North Carolina, flowers are available from April to May.
Pink
Purple/Lavender
White
Red/Burgundy
Solitary
Spring
2-3 rays/petals
1-3 inches
Leaves
2-5 inches long, broadly egg-shaped leaves that are actually bracts with a definite petiole and taper-pointed at the tip.
Green
Simple
Whorled
Ovate
Entire
Undulate
3-6 inches
3-6 inches
Stem
Unbranched green stem
Green
Round
Smooth (glabrous)
Straight
Poisonous to Humans
Unknown
Toxicity unknown, but caution because of its relationship with known toxic plants.
Fruits
Roots
Whole Plant Traits
Perennial
Herbaceous Perennial
Native Plant
Poisonous
Wildflower
Erect
Slow
Medium
Medium
Cultural Conditions
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Acid (<6.0)
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasionally Wet
12 inches-3 feet
Mountains
4a
4b
5b
5a
6a
6b
7a
7b
8b
8a
3a
3b
High Organic Matter
Landscape
Pollinator Garden
Native Garden
Shade Garden
Mass Planting
Small groups
Woodland
Naturalized Area
Slope/Bank
Pollinators
Bees
Moths
Small Mammals
Trillium undulatum Image Gallery
Trillium undulatum Attributes
Trillium undulatum: Country Or Region Of Origin
Eastern North America
Trillium undulatum: Distribution
CT , GA , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WV Canada: MB , NB , NS , ON , PE , QC
Trillium undulatum: Wildlife Value
Attracts bees and other pollinating insects, moth larvae, ants, yellow jackets, mammals. Bees and other pollinators enjoy the nectar from flowers. Larval host for moths. Small mammals enjoy the berries as a food source.
Trillium undulatum: Edibility
EDIBLE PARTS: Young, unfolding leaves HARVEST TIME: Only collect leaves from areas you know have NOT been treated with pesticides. SAFE HANDLING PROCEDURES: Wash leaves in warm water to remove dirt and debris. Do not use dish detergent or any type of sanitizer. These products can leave a residue. Cook in boiling, salted water for ten minutes and serve like greens. SOURCE: Crowhurst, A. 1972. The Weed Cookbook. Lancer Books, Inc. New York, 190 pp.
Trillium undulatum: Life Cycle
Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody
Trillium undulatum: Recommended Propagation Strategy
Division
Grafting
Layering
Leaf Cutting
Root Cutting
Seed
Stem Cutting
Trillium undulatum: Play Value
Attractive Flowers
Attracts Pollinators
Buffer
Colorful
Defines Paths
Easy to Grow
Edible fruit
Fragrance
Pieces Used in Games
Screening
Shade
Sound
Textural
Wildlife Cover/Habitat
Wildlife Food Source
Wildlife Larval Host
Wildlife Nesting
Wind Break
Wind Shimmer
Trillium undulatum Fruit
Trillium undulatum: Fruit Description
.5 to 1 inch 6- parted berry-like capsule with seeds that are dispersed by ants. In North Carolina, fruits are available from July to August.
Trillium undulatum: Fruit Type
Achene
Aggregate
Berry
Capsule
Caryopsis
Drupe
Follicle
Legume
Nut
Pome
Samara
Schizocarp
Siliqua
Trillium undulatum: Fruit Color
Red/Burgundy
Trillium undulatum: Display/Harvest Time
Fall
Spring
Summer
Winter
Trillium undulatum: Fruit Length
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
> 3 inches
Trillium undulatum: Fruit Width
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
> 3 inches
Trillium undulatum Flowers
Trillium undulatum: Flower Description
The petals are wavy-margined and white with a central red to reddish-purple splotch at the base of the flower. and up to 2 inches wide. In North Carolina, flowers are available from April to May.
Trillium undulatum: Flower Color
Pink
Purple/Lavender
Red/Burgundy
White
Trillium undulatum: Flower Inflorescence
Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel
Trillium undulatum: Flower Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy
Trillium undulatum: Flower Bloom Time
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Trillium undulatum: Flower Petals
2-3 rays/petals
4-5 petals/rays
6 petals/rays
7 - 20 petals/rays
asymmetrical petals
Bracts
Colored Sepals
fused petals
more than 20 petals/rays
Tepals
Trillium undulatum: Flower Shape
Bell
Cross
Crown
Cup
Dome
Funnel
Irregular
Lipped
Radial
Saucer
Star
Trumpet
Tubular
Urn
Wheel
Trillium undulatum: Flower Size
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
< 1 inch
> 6 inches
Trillium undulatum Leaves
Trillium undulatum: Leaf Description
2-5 inches long, broadly egg-shaped leaves that are actually bracts with a definite petiole and taper-pointed at the tip.
Trillium undulatum: Leaf Color
Green
Trillium undulatum: Leaf Type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple
Trillium undulatum: Leaf Arrangement
Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled
Trillium undulatum: Leaf Shape
Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate
Trillium undulatum: Leaf Margin
Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate
Trillium undulatum: Hairs Present
No
Yes
Trillium undulatum: Leaf Length
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches
Trillium undulatum: Leaf Width
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches
Trillium undulatum Stem
Trillium undulatum: Stem Description
Unbranched green stem
Trillium undulatum: Stem Color
Green
Trillium undulatum: Stem Is Aromatic
No
Yes
Trillium undulatum: Stem Cross Section
Angular
Oval
Round
Square
Trillium undulatum: Stem Surface
Corky Ridges
Covered with a powdery bloom (glaucous)
Dull
Hairy (pubescent)
Polished
Smooth (glabrous)
Trillium undulatum: Stem Form
Straight
Zig Zags
Trillium undulatum Poisonous to Humans
Trillium undulatum: Poison Symptoms
Unknown
Trillium undulatum: Poison Toxic Principle
Toxicity unknown, but caution because of its relationship with known toxic plants.
Trillium undulatum: Poison Severity
High
Low
Medium
Trillium undulatum: Causes Contact Dermatitis
No
Yes
Trillium undulatum: Poison Part
Bark
Flowers
Fruits
Leaves
Roots
Sap/Juice
Seeds
Stems
Trillium undulatum Whole Plant Traits
Trillium undulatum: Plant Type
Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower
Trillium undulatum: Habit/Form
Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping
Trillium undulatum: Growth Rate
Slow
Medium
Rapid
Trillium undulatum: Maintenance
Low
Medium
High
Trillium undulatum: Texture
Fine
Medium
Coarse
Trillium undulatum Cultural Conditions
Trillium undulatum: Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Trillium undulatum: Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Alkaline (>8.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Trillium undulatum: Soil Drainage
Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry
Trillium undulatum: Available Space To Plant
12 inches-3 feet
12-24 feet
24-60 feet
3 feet-6 feet
6-feet-12 feet
Less than 12 inches
more than 60 feet
Trillium undulatum: NC Region
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
Trillium undulatum: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
3a
3b
4a
4b
5a
5b
6a
6b
7a
7b
8a
8b
Trillium undulatum: Soil Texture
Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky
Trillium undulatum Landscape
Trillium undulatum: Landscape Theme
Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden
Trillium undulatum: Design Feature
Accent
Barrier
Border
Flowering Tree
Foundation Planting
Hedge
Mass Planting
Screen/Privacy
Security
Shade Tree
Small groups
Small Tree
Specimen
Street Tree
Understory Tree
Trillium undulatum: Landscape Location
Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland
Trillium undulatum: Attracts
Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees
