Trillium cuneatum

Sweet Betsy
Trillium cuneatum
Conservation status

Apparently Secure (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Order: Liliales
Family: Melanthiaceae
Genus: Trillium
Species: T. cuneatum
Binomial name
Trillium cuneatum
US distribution by state of Trillium cuneatum

Trillium cuneatum or Sweet Betsy is a flowering perennial plant which is native to parts of the southeastern United States that flowers in early March to mid April. It is also known as whip-poor-will flower, large toadshade, purple toadshade, and bloody butcher.

The plant has three broad, mottled leaves surrounding a sessile, banana-scented flower.[2] The petals are erect and maroon, bronze, green, or yellow in color.[2]

This wildflower prefers to grow in rich soils mostly upland woods, especially limestone soils, also in less calcareous sites. It is found at elevations of 50–400 meters (165–2300 feet).

References

  1. ^ "Trillium cuneatum". NatureServe Explorer. NatureServe. http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Trillium+cuneatum+. Retrieved 2008-05-02. 
  2. ^ a b Carman, Jack B. (2001). Wildflowers of Tennessee. Highland Rim Press. p. 372. 

External links