Trifoliate Trilliums

Three leaves, three petals, and three sepals characterize the trillium genus.
Trilliums may take years to produce seeds and cannot survive exposure to full sunlight.
Many species hybridize, making identification more difficult.
Clear cutting and harvest by herbalists for medical use have taken a heavy toll on this genus.
These plants are truly an American treasure which hopefully will be enjoyed and protected in future years.

Trillium species are native to temperate climates in North America
Thirty-eight of the 43-species present worldwide, are represented in North America
The greates diversity of species is found in the southern Appalachian Mountains of the southeaster US.

Some trilliums that were formerly more common have become rare because of environmental changes.
For most species, rarity results from a combination of anthropogenic (human-induced) and evolutionary ("natural") factors.
Human causes of rarity include: loss of habitat, loss of pollinators, collecting for horticulture & medicinal uses, & introduction of competitors.

Catesby's Trillium	Catesby's Trillium	Catesby's Trillium	Catesby's Trillium	Catesby's Trillium
Catesby's Trillium	Catesby's Trillium	Catesby's Trillium	Catesby's Trillium	Catesby's Trillium
Catesby's Trillium	Catesby's Trillium	Catesby's Trillium	Trillium cuneatum	Deceptive Trillium
Large-flowered Trillium	Large-flowered Trillium	White Erect Trillium	Yellow Trillium	Yellow Trillium