Trillium undulatum (painted trillium)

Trillium undulatum Willd.

Painted trillium

Kingdom	Plantae	Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta	Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division	Magnoliophyta	Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class	Liliopsida	Monocots (plants with a single seed leaf); includes the lily family
Subclass	Liliidae	Includes lilies, orchids, and many others
Order	Liliales	Includes lilies, tulips, trilliums, greenbriars, and others
Family	Melanthiaceae	Trillium family
Genus	Trillium	“Three-petaled lily”
Species	undulatum	Wavy-margined

About plant names...

The painted trillium is native to eastern North America. Trilliums are members of the lily family.

Identification: Plants are 4-16" (11-40 cm) high, with dark greenish or maroon stems. A whorl of three leaves forms atop each of the 1-3 stems, each leaf facing straight upward, with a single flower emerging from the center. Leaves are oval or diamond-shaped in shape, wider at the base, tapering to pointed tips, and with even edges, 4½-7" (12-18 cm) × 3-8" (8-20 cm). A flower tops each stem, elevated above the leaves, with three conspicuous white petals tinged with pink near the centers, and large yellow stamens. Each petal is about 1-1½" (2.5-3.8 cm) long and ½-¾" (1.3-1.9 cm) wide. Fruits are ⅜-¾" (1-2 cm), roughly pear-shaped or shaped somewhat like a prism, and scarlet in color.

See also this Trillium comparison table.

By T.G. Barnes of the Forest Service of the United States Department of Agriculture.

Online References:

Trillium undulatum on ncwildflower.org

Trillium undulatum on the Encyclopedia of Life

Trillium undulatum on botanyphoto.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca

Trillium undulatum on CalPhotos

Trillium undulatum on naturalhistory.si.edu

5/15/2016 · Mt. Watatic, Ashby, MA

5/18/2018 · Willard Brook State Park, Blue Trail, Ashby, MA
≈ 7 × 4½" (18 × 12 cm)

8/25/2019 · Blue Trail, Willard Brook State Park, Ashby, MA

5/14/2016 · Willard Brook State Park, Ashby, MA
≈ 7 × 4½" (16 × 12 cm)

7/30/2010 · Willard Brook State Forest, Blue Trail, Ashby & Townsend, MA
≈ 15 × 10" (39 × 26 cm) ID is uncertain

5/4/2012 · Willard Brook State Park, Blue Trail, Ashby, MA
≈ 9 × 6" (22 × 14 cm)

7/31/2015 · Willard Brook State Park, Blue Trail, Ashby, MA
≈ 7 × 7" (18 × 16 cm)

5/15/2016 · Mt. Watatic, Ashby, MA

8/4/2017 · Willard Brook State Park, Ashby, MA
≈ 6 × 4" (15 × 10 cm)

5/15/2016 · Mt. Watatic, Ashby, MA

Trillium undulatum description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

5/4/2012 · Willard Brook State Park, Blue Trail, Ashby, MA
≈ 5 × 3½" (13 × 9.2 cm)

8/4/2017 · Willard Brook State Park, Ashby, MA
≈ 6 × 4" (15 × 10 cm)

5/18/2018 · Willard Brook State Park, Blue Trail, Ashby, MA
≈ 7 × 4" (16 × 11 cm)

4/24/2016 · Blue Trail, Willard Brook State Park, Ashby, NH

5/4/2012 · Willard Brook State Park, Blue Trail, Ashby, MA
≈ 7 × 4½" (17 × 11 cm)

8/4/2017 · Willard Brook State Park, Ashby, MA
≈ 6 × 4" (14 × 10.0 cm)

7/30/2010 · Willard Brook State Forest, Blue Trail, Ashby & Townsend, MA
≈ 11 × 7" (27 × 18 cm) ID is uncertain

5/18/2018 · Willard Brook State Park, Blue Trail, Ashby, MA
≈ 7 × 4½" (18 × 12 cm)

5/18/2018 · Willard Brook State Park, Blue Trail, Ashby, MA
≈ 8 × 5" (20 × 13 cm)

5/4/2012 · Willard Brook State Park, Blue Trail, Ashby, MA
≈ 7 × 4½" (17 × 11 cm)

4/24/2016 · Blue Trail, Willard Brook State Park, Ashby, NH

5/18/2018 · Willard Brook State Park, Blue Trail, Ashby, MA
≈ 6 × 4" (15 × 10 cm)

5/18/2018 · Willard Brook State Park, Blue Trail, Ashby, MA
≈ 7 × 4" (16 × 11 cm)

4/15/1979 · Memphis, TN · By Tim Chandler

Range:

About this map...