The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: red trillium, purple trillium

Family: Liliaceae (lily family)

Distribution: e. North America

IUCN Red list: Least concern

Hardiness: USDA Zone 3

Life form: Herbaceous perennial

Comments: Red trillium is a beautiful spring wildflower, with deep reddish to purplish maroon flowers produced on tall curved stalks from late March to June. Interestingly, the flowers do not have a pleasant fragrance to complement their beauty, instead exuding a more carrion-like odor to attract flies or beetles to help with pollination. The flowers are followed by fleshy, berry-like fruits. Plants will often grow in large, colonial masses throughout woods. Native Americans used the root of this plant to treat menstrual disorders and to aid in childbirth. The whole plant was often used to treat tumors or inflammation by being made into a poultice.