Trillium decumbens Harb.

Trailing Trillium; Decumbent Trillium; Trailing Wakerobin

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Decumbent Trillium is a native perennial in the Bunchflower family (Melanthiaceae). It occurs in the northern third of Alabama. Decumbent Trillium occurs in hardwood forests, in ravines, in rocky woods, on cedar glades, and along streams. It is a perennial from a horizontal rhizome. Usually a single densely puberulent scape is produced from each rhizome. The stems are very short and form a slight “s”, often positioning the leaves on top of the leaf litter. Each stem has a single whorl of three leaves at its apex. The leaves are ovate to suborbicular in outline with a rounded apex. The leaves are mottled in dark green and silver green. The flower is sessile just above the leaves. Each flower has three green or maroon sepals that are divergent. There are three erect petals that are twisted towards their tips. The petals are linear-lanceolate or oblanceolate, and usually dark purple-brown when young and fading to reddish- or yellowish brown. Rarely plants with completely clear lemon-yellow petals occur. The fruit is a fleshy berry-like capsule. Each seed has an oily white elaiosome attached on one side. The elaiosome is rich in oils, lipids, and proteins. It is eaten by ants who discard the seed, aiding in its dispersal. Decumbent Trillium is occasionally available from wildflower nurseries. Only purchase plants from sources that have grown them and not collected them from the wild. Decumbent Trillium prefers full to partial shade and a mesic soil rich in organic matter.—A. Diamond

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Native

Freeman, J.D. 1975. Revision of Trillium Subgenus Phyllantherum (Liliaceae). Brittonia 27: 1-62.