Trillium stamineum Harb.

Twisted Trillium; Blue Ridge Wakerobin

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Airplane Propeller Trillium is a native perennial in the Bunchflower family (Melanthiaceae). It is found primarily in the western half of Alabama. Airplane Propeller Trillium occurs in rich hardwood forests, in ravines, along streams and creeks, and in prairie woods. It is a perennial from a rhizome. The stem is from 8-12 inches in height and pubescent. There are three leaf-like bracts at the top of the scape. The bracts are ovate to ovate-lanceolate in outline and mottled in two colors of green. Flowers are sessile above the bracts. The sepals are green marked with purple. They are held in a horizontal position. The petals are dark purple to maroon. They are held in a horizontal position and have 2-3 twists. This is unlike any other Trillium. The large stamens are large and dark purple. The anther dehiscence is extrorse (towards the outside of the flower). The fruit is a mealy capsule with several seed. The tan seed have a white, oily appendage known as an elaiosome. This structure contains fats and proteins and serves as an enticement for ants to collect the seeds. The ants transport the seed back to their nest, consume the elaiosome, and then toss the seed into their trash middens. The plants benefit from having their seed moved to a new area. The trash middens also provide a site with loose soil and nutrients from the decaying trash. Being close to the ant nest also provides some protection, especially from other insects. Ant dispersal of seed is known as myrmecochory. Yellow Jacket Wasps, which are in the same insect order as the ants, have also been observed to collect and transport Trillium seed. Airplane Propeller Trillium is sometimes available from native plant nurseries. It prefers full to partial shade and a moist, organic rich soil.--A. Diamond

**

Native

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