White wakerobin is an herbaceous perennial wildflower native to the mountains of NC and TN. It tends to occur in drier habitats and is typically found on acid soils, in open dry or rich mesic woods, within laurel and rhododendron thickets at mid to high elevations. It is a member of the trillium family (Melanthiaceae). The varietal epithet is Latin for white. The white three-petaled flower appears in spring and has a dark purplish ovary in the center. The bracts are green and occur in a whorl on the stem. Pollen and nectar of the flowers attract bees, yellow jackets and other pollinating insects. White wakerobin is the larval host plant for the black-patched clepsis moth ( Clepsis melaleucanus ) and American angle shades moth ( Euplexia benesimilis). Small mammals and ants enjoy the seeds and fruits as a food source. Use in a woodland setting for naturalizing. They will spread by rhizomes to form a clump. 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 erectum .
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.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | 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
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
NC region
Mountains
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 10 in. - 1 ft. 0 in. | Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Whorled
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Whorl of three stemless elliptical to broadly ovate leaves that are actually bracts.
Flower color
White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower detail
White flower has dark ovary in the center. 3 petals
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Berry; Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
6 parted berry-like capsule with seeds that are dispersed by ants.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Unbranched green stem
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
United States
Wildlife value
Pollen and nectar of the flowers attract bees, yellow jackets, and other pollinating insects. Host plant for larvae of black-patched clepsis moth (Clepsis melaleucanus) and American angle shades moth (Euplexia benesimilis). Small mammals and ants enjoy the seeds and berries as a food source.
Attracts
Moths; Pollinators
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves; Nuts
Harvest time
Summer
Fruit type
Berry; Capsule
Edibility
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.