Prairie Trillium

(Trillium recurvatum)

Prairie Trillium (Trillium recurvatum Beck)

Identification: Flowers deep red to red-purple and the petals point upward. The sepals hang downward. The flower is sessile to the whorl of three leaves. The leaves are elongate, narrow, sharply pointed at the apex, and the base of the leaf is sharply constricted into a leaf petiole. Plant 6 to 16 inches in height.

Distribution: Wisconsin in the west to Pennsylvania in the east, southward to Alabama and Texas.

Habitat: Despite its name, Prairie Trillium is found in woods and thickets.

Similar Species: Prairie Trillium is similar to Toadshade. However the sepals of Prairie Trillium hang downward. The leaves of Prairie Trillium are narrow with a constricted base. The leaves of Toadshade are large, round and the base is not constricted into a petiole.