The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: large toadshade, cuneate trillium, little sweet Betsy

Family: Liliaceae (lily family)

Distribution: s.e. United States

IUCN Red list: Least concern

Hardiness: USDA Zone 5

Life form: Herbaceous perennial

Comments: Large toadshade is a sight to behold, being the most robust of the sessile trilliums that are native to these parts. It is often found in rich woods growing up to a foot and a half tall. The three whorled leaves are green and attractively mottled with gray green irregular blotches. A single sessile flower emerges on each plant in late March; it has three maroon petals that are held upright, beneath which are three small green sepals. The flowers have a faintly sweet fragrance, supposedly of bananas.