Trillium erectum L.

Stem 2–4 dm; lvs usually broadly rhombic, about as wide as long, narrowed with nearly straight margins from near the middle to the acute base; peduncle erect to lateral, mostly 3–8 cm, up to ca twice as long as the sep, the ± foetid fls held ± above the lvs; sep lanceolate to lance-ovate or seldom ovate, flat or weakly sulcate-tipped, ca equaling or somewhat shorter than the pet; pet normally maroon (white, yellow, or green), lanceolate to lance-ovate or seldom ovate, 2.5–6 cm, acute, widely spreading from the base, exposing the dark ovary; stamens shorter to somewhat longer than the ovary, the filaments mostly a fourth to half as long as the anthers; fr dark red, ovoid-globose, with 6 wing-ribs; 2n=10. Moist woods; Que. and Ont. to Md. and O. and reputedly ne. Ill., s. to the mts. of N.C., Ga., and Tenn. Apr., May.

Cool, rich, moist, neutral to acidic soils of upland deciduous forests, mixed deciduous-coniferous forests, coniferous swamp borders at elevations of 200-700 metres.

The young unfolding leaves are added to salads. They can be eaten as a potherb served with butter or vinegar.

Can be grown by divisions or seedlings.