Vasey's Trillium

Vasey's Trillium
Trillium vaseyi

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This trillium grows most frequently in the westernmost mountains of North Carolina, and into north Georgia. I took the picture in the Nantahala mountains, and have not yet found it near the Asheville area. It looks a lot like the more common Erect Trillium, but there are a couple of ways to distringuish them. The flower of Vasey's Trillium clearly hangs below the leaves. It is also larger, a deeper maroon color, the petals may appear somewhat rough or veined, are usually quite broad and the outer third or so is often reflexed backward towards the sepals. The overall size of the plant is larger than most Erect Trilliums. It is a mid- to late spring bloomer, growing at lower altitudes in deep, moist, shady, rich coves. This species used to be listed as a variety of T. erectum, but according to Tom Patrick's trillium key it is recognized as a distinct species.

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