Ontario Wildflowers website

Red Trillium
Trillium erectum

Red Trillium (Trillium erectum) Other common names: American True-Love, Birthroot, Bumblebee Root, Ill-scented Wake-robin, Indian Shamrock, Purple Trillium, Stinking Benjamin, Stinking Willie, Threeleaf Nightshade, Wake-robin

French names: Trille dressé

Family: Bunch flower Family (Melanthiaceae), (Lily Family (Liliaceae), Trillium Family (Trilliaceae))

Group: Trilliums

Distinctive features: Red flowers in the spring woods, three leaves in a whorl, red ovary (center).

Flowers: Spring;  Red/Pink;  3 parts (petals)

Leaves: Opposite/Whorled, Simple, Entire;  Three in a whorl.

Height: 20-50 cm (7-19 in)

Habitat: Forests

Grows in Sun/Shade: Shade

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 124    Peterson's Field Guide to Wildflowers: 212, 240   

Native/Non-native: Native

Origin and Meaning of Names:
 Scientific Name: erectum: erect


Photographs: 727 photographs available, of which 12 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Red Trillium (Trillium erectum)

Red Trillium flower. It is dark red, with a deep red center (ovary), while the stamens are light-coloured.

Red Trillium (Trillium erectum)

Red Trillium flowers can be very photogenic!

Red Trillium (Trillium erectum)

Flower from the side.

Red Trillium (Trillium erectum)

Sometimes the flower petals are wider than usual.

Red Trillium (Trillium erectum)

Red Trillium (Trillium erectum)

The flowers tend to angle slightly downward, sometimes quite abit, making them a challenge to photograph..

Red Trillium (Trillium erectum)

Note how the flower is a little bit angled on the flower stem (peduncle).

Red Trillium (Trillium erectum)

Flower bud and typical leaves.

Red Trillium (Trillium erectum)

Nice clump of Red Trillium.

Red Trillium (Trillium erectum)

Rear view of a Red Trillium flower.

Red Trillium (Trillium erectum)

Flower bud just beginning to open.

Red Trillium (Trillium erectum)

Here is a clump with non-typical leaves.


Range map for Red Trillium (Trillium erectum)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)