Trillium catesbaei Plant Identification (Flower, Leaf, Care, Uses)

Family – Liliaceae

Stems:

N/A

Leaves:

N/A

Inflorescence:

N/A

Flowers:

Flowering – March – June.

Habitat – Alluvial woods, wooded slopes.

Origin – Native to U.S.

Other information – This attractive and fairly uncommon species can be found in the eastern half of Alabama. The plant is easy to identify becasue of its solid green leaves and pendulous pink flower.
The genus name Trillium comes from the Latin “trilix” meaning “triple” referring to the parts of the plant being in three’s.
The species epithet catesbaei is given in honor of Mark Catesby (1683-1749). Catesby was a tireless English Naturalist who studied the flora and fauna of eastern North America. Between 1731 and 1743 he published “Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands.” This was the first published work about the flora and fauna of North America. Catesby was also the first to use folio-sized color plates in natural history books. He taught himself the art of etching the plates.

Alabama Distribution:

Photographs taken off India Rd, Opelika, AL., 4-16-05.