Trillium underwoodii Small

Underwood's Trillium; Long Bract Wakerobin

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Underwood’s Trillium is a native perennial in the Bunchflower family (Melanthiaceae). It is native to the southern half of Alabama. Underwood’s Trillium occurs in rich hardwood forests, along streams, and in ravines. It is a perennial from a stout rhizome. Each rhizome produces one erect stem topped by three leaf-like bracts. The stems are from 3-8 inches in height, short enough that if the leaf-like bracts are bent down they will touch the ground. The bracts are ovate-lanceolate to obovate in outline, entire, and glabrous. The bracts are mottled with three shades of green and usually have a silver-green stripe down the middle. The tips of the bracts are pointed. Plants produce a single sessile flower. There are three spreading sepals that are purple or green in color, and three oblanceolate to elliptic, erect (not spreading or twisted) petals. Petals vary in color from dark maroon-red, purplish red, to brownish red. The fruit is a mealy capsule. The seed are tan in color with a white elaiosome. Underwood’s Trillium is frequently confused with Deceiving Trillium (Trillium decipiens J.D. Freeman), which grows in the same area of the state. Underwood’s Trillium is a shorter plant (the bracts of Deceiving Trillium will only extend about half way down the stem when pressed downward) with more uniform dark colored flowers.—A. Diamond

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Native

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