Trillium sessile

Trillium sessile, also known as Sessile Trillium, Toadshade, or Red Trillium, is a species of flowering plant in the family Melanthiaceae. It is native to the central part of the United States and is commonly found in the Midwest and South Central regions.

Description

The Trillium sessile is a perennial plant that grows up to 30 cm tall. It has a single, unbranched stem with a whorl of three leaves at the top. The leaves are broadly ovate to elliptic and are mottled with various shades of green. The flowers are sessile (without a stalk) and are typically a deep red color, although they can occasionally be yellow or green. The flowers have three petals and three sepals, and they bloom in the spring.

Habitat and Distribution

Trillium sessile is found in a variety of habitats, including deciduous forests, woodlands, and prairies. It prefers moist, well-drained soils and is often found in areas with rich, loamy soil. The plant is native to the central United States, with its range extending from Minnesota and Iowa in the north to Oklahoma and Texas in the south, and from Illinois and Indiana in the east to Nebraska and Kansas in the west.

Conservation Status

The Trillium sessile is not currently listed as threatened or endangered by the IUCN. However, like many wildflowers, it is susceptible to habitat loss due to deforestation and urbanization. In some areas, it is also threatened by over-collection for the horticultural trade.

Cultivation

Trillium sessile is sometimes grown as an ornamental plant in gardens. It is valued for its attractive mottled leaves and its unusual, deep red flowers. The plant prefers a shady location and moist, well-drained soil. It can be propagated by seed or by division of the rhizomes.

References

• Trillium sessile. The Plant List. Retrieved from http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-2889829
• Trillium sessile. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved from http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a342