Sweet Betsy is an herbaceous perennial wildflower native to the piedmont and mountains of North Carolina and the southeastern USA. It is a member of the trillium family (Melanthiaceae). It can be found in rich soils of woodlands, moist slopes, and bottomlands. The species epithet means “wedge-shaped” and refers to the shape of the petals. It is one of the largest and most vigorous of the sessile trilliums (those with no pedicel between the bracts and the flower). The plant spreads by underground rhizomes. It has three bracts that are large and mottled. The flowers have three sepals and three petals that are usually maroon, but some plants produced greenish yellow flowers. The blossoms have a foul odor, which attracts flies. The seeds attract ants, which carry them to their nests. It is the larval host plant for the black-patched clepsis moth ( Clepsis melaleucanus ) and American angle shades moth ( Euplexia benesimilis ). Grow this plant in moist well-drained humus-rich soils in part to full shade. Use in a shady or woodland garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. Slugs and snails are occasional pests and leaf spot, rust and smut are occasional disease problems. It does not transplant well. More information on Trillium .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in. | Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Spreading
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Whorled
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
3- to 7-inch long oval leaves (actually bracts) are green with gray mottling and occur in threes in a whorl on the stem
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green; Red/Burgundy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Malodorous, sessile flowers are up to 3 in. across with 3 maroon petals and 3 green sepals; ill scented. In North Carolina, flowers are mainly maroon and are available from March to April. Flowers are sometimes yellowish bronze or reddish-green.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Green; Purple/Lavender
Fruit type
Berry; Capsule
Fruit detail
Fruits are a berry-like capsule with seeds that are dispersed by ants. In North Carolina, fruits are available from May to June.
Stem color
Green; Purple/Lavender
Stem detail
green to purplish stems
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Southeastern United States
Distribution
AL , GA , IL , KY , MS , NC , SC , TN
Wildlife value
The blossoms have a foul odor, which attracts flies. The seeds attract ants, which carry them to their nests. Host plant for larvae of black-patched clepsis moth (Clepsis melaleucanus) and American angle shades moth (Euplexia benesimilis)
EDIBLE PARTS: Young, unfolding leaves HARVEST TIME: Only collect leaves from areas you know have NOT been treated with pesticides. SAFE HANDLING PROCEDURES: Wash leaves in warm water to remove dirt and debris. Do not use dish detergent or any type of sanitizer. These products can leave a residue. Cook in boiling, salted water for ten minutes and serve like greens. SOURCE: Crowhurst, A. 1972. The Weed Cookbook. Lancer Books, Inc. New York, 190 pp.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Naturalized Area; Slope/Bank; Walkways; Woodland
Landscape theme
Native Garden; Pollinator Garden; Rock Garden; Shade Garden