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Tennessee Trilliums
Trilliums are one of the most recognizable flowers in Tennessee. They are named Trillium because all parts of the flower come in threes (ie: the leaves, sepals, petals, and stamens). However, as recognizable as Trilliums are, they can also be very frustrating to identify due to their seemingly endless variety and the natural tendancy of them to hybridize. All Trilliums in Tennessee bloom relatively early, from April through May. Some bloom in early June in higher elevations.
If you see identification errors on this page (or other pages on this site) please feel free to contact me and I will attempt corrections.
I hope that these photos will assist you in your identification of Trilliums.
All photographs copyrighted by James Greene, unless otherwise noted.
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Prairie Trillium. Scientific name: Trillium recurvatum. The distinguishing characteristic of the Prairie Trillium is the flower itself. It consists of short, triangular, red petals that are short and stubby. Usually found closed. The sepals (green flower parts that enclose the flower prior to blooming) point straight down. The flower is sesslile, meaning it is attached directly at the base. In other words, the flower is not on a stalk rising above the leaves.
Sweet Betsy. Scienctific name: Trillium cuneatum. This is the less common, green variety of the Sweet Betsy. Sweet Betsy is a very common trillium, but the green variey is a little less frequent. They seem to thrive in Jackson County, TN. Sweet Betsy Has a very sweet, almost sickly sweet, pungent aroma. Some people say it smells like bananas.
Sweet Betsy. Scienctific name: Trillium cuneatum. A Sweet Betsy as it emerges and unfolds.
Sweet Betsy. Scienctific name: Trillium cuneatum. An unopened Sweet Betsy showing the sepals as they cover the petals prior to opening. Trilliums are often found in this state in early spring.
Sweet Betsy. Scienctific name: Trillium cuneatum. A Sweet Betsy just opening up.
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Sweet Betsy. Scienctific name: Trillium cuneatum.The more common red variety of Sweet Betsy. Large, mottled leaves. Sepals as long as the petals. Very sweet smell.
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Large Flowered Trillium. Scientific name: Trillium grandiflorum. A very large-bloomed, showy Trillium. Relatively common. Fades into a pale pink/purple as the blooms age. Notice that the center of the bloom (the stamens and anthlers) is yellow, without brown or red present. This is a distinguishing charactistic. Also the flowers are on a stalk rising above the leaves, which are solid green, not mottled.
Yellow Trillium. Scientific name: Trillium Luteum. Sometimes called a Lemon Trillium, especially around Jackson County, TN. This is due to the scent, which smells a bit like lemon. The photo above is from the Smoky Mountains. Yellow Trillium is prone to growing in clusters, like above. The petals stay mostly erect and the sepals lay flat. The leaves look very much like Sweet Betsy leaves.
Sweet White Trillium. Scientific name: Trillium simile. Found only around the Smoky Mountains. Grows quite tall for a Trillium, reaching up to 24 inches. The leaves are solid green, very elliptical (roundish), somewhat more delicate than leaves of a Sweet Betsy. The flower has large, showy, white petals, smaller sepals that lay flat but may curl downward a bit. The flower is on a long stem and bent. The middle of the flower (ovary) is purplish in color (may appear red). The bloom has a sweet, fruity smell. Not sickly sweet. Some say it smells like apples. Just smells fruity to me. A farily uncommon Trillium, but not too hard to find in Sevier County, TN.
Painted Trillium. Scientific name: Trillium undulatum. This is a fairly rare trillium, found only around the Smoky Mountains. The distinguishing characteristics are the ruffles at the edges of the petals and the pink streaks near the base of the petals. The flower is on a stalk, above the leaves. The leaves tend to be fairly dark green. Photo credit: Joe Douglas
White Erect Trillium. Scientific name: Trillium erectum albiflorum. A fairly uncommon trillium. Found in and around the Smoky Mountains. Characterized by the bent flower with very dark brown ovary. Leaves are very elliptical near the base. Fower is borne on a short stalk rising above the leaves. Sepals are about the same length as the petals. Photo credit: Joe Douglas
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