Catesby's Trillium

Catesby's Trillium
Trillium catesbaei

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Right up there with the Large-Flowered and Painted Trilliums for beauty, is this one - Catesby's Trillium. It is easy to confuse with the Large-Flowered Trillium, especially because Large-Flowereds will turn pink as the blossoms age. With a little practice you can tell them apart. Large-Flowereds hold the blooms well above the leaves. Catesby's are always "reflexed" below the leaves, and their blooms start out pink (I've yet to see a white one). Also, Catesby's are generally smaller, daintier plants than the Large-Flowered. The Cateby's leaves are usually about 6" long, 3-4" wide. The flowers are usually about 2" across. The Catesby's blooms in May-June, later than the Large-Flowered. Look for it at mid-to higher altitudes in hardwood forest.

A note on the nomenclature (naming conventions) on this site: Scientific names and classifications are constantly being argued and changed, and it drives me nuts. Although I use many different sources for knowledge, for naming consistency I use the "Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas" by Radford, Ahles and Bell, 1968 edition. This book is a well-established authority for the plants of our region and I've been using it for years. If for some reason I must use a different source for a particular plant, I will make note of it within the descriptive text. Don't like it? Tough!

fdudley@weaversites.com

Fiona Dudley
Weaversites
986 Reems Creek Road
Weaverville NC 28787

828-231-1501