Painted Trillium is a native, herbaceous perennial wildflower in the trillium family (Melanthiaceae). In nature, it can be found in acidic, humus-rich soils of ridges, slopes, and bog margins, mostly at high elevations and often associated with rhododendrons, hemlock, pines, or spruce. It is commonly seen in the mountains of North Carolina. The species epithet refers to the undulate, or wavey, petals. Painted trillium is said to be very difficult to grow, and many plants offered for sale are wild-collected. Larry Mellichamp (2014) says "don't waste time and money on it." The three large bracts (“leaves”) are in a whorl and are pedicellate. The flower is white with a dark red to purple blaze at the base and is borne on a single, erect stem in the spring. Attracts bees and other pollinating insects, moth larvae, ants, yellow jackets and mammals. Honeybees and other pollinators are attracted to the pollen of the flowers. It is a larval host plant for the black-patched clepsis moth ( Clepsis melaleucanus ) and American angle shades moth ( Euplexia benesimilis ) . Small mammals eat the fruits. Ants are attracted to the seeds, which they disperse. 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
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Wet
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Mountains
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 2 ft. 0 in. | Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Whorled
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire; Undulate
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
2-5 inches long, broadly egg-shaped leaves that are actually bracts with a definite petiole and taper-pointed at the tip.
Flower color
Pink; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
The petals are wavy-margined and white with a central red to reddish-purple splotch at the base of the flower. and up to 2 inches wide. In North Carolina, flowers are available from April to May.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Berry; Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
.5 to 1 inch 6- parted berry-like capsule with seeds that are dispersed by ants. In North Carolina, fruits are available from July to August.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Unbranched green stem
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Eastern North America
Distribution
CT , GA , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WV Canada: MB , NB , NS , ON , PE , QC
Wildlife value
Attracts bees and other pollinating insects, moth larvae, ants, yellow jackets, mammals. Bees and other pollinators enjoy the nectar from flowers. Host plant for larvae of black-patched clepsis moth and American angle shades moth. Honeybees and bumble bees visit for pollen and nectar. Small mammals enjoy the berries as a food source.
Young, unfolding leaves. Only collect leaves from areas you know have NOT been treated with pesticides. 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.