Kingdom Plantae Family Melanthiaceae Scientific name Trillium luteum Rank Species | Order Liliales Genus Trillium Higher classification Tri flower | |
 | ||
Similar Tri flower, Trillium cuneatum, Trillium sessile, Trillium erectum, Trillium grandiflorum | ||
Trillium luteum (common names: yellow wakerobin, yellow trillium) is a species of flowering plants in the family Melanthiaceae, with native populations in the Great Smoky Mountains of the United States and surrounding areas. It occurs in parts of North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky, usually in the shade of mature deciduous trees. It is especially abundant around Gatlinburg. The species also occurs in scattered locations farther north, in Ontario, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and northern Virginia, but these appear to be naturalized populations.
Contents
Description
Growing to 40 cm (16 in) tall by 30 cm (12 in) wide, Trillium luteum is an herbaceous perennial flowering in spring. It is cultivated in temperate regions for its variegated leaves and yellow, lemon-scented flowers. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Taxonomy
Trillium luteum is often sold under its earlier name of Trillium sessile var. luteum, and so may be confused with Trillium sessile. It has also been known as Trillium cuneatum var. luteum (Muhl.) H.E. Ahles and Trillium viride var. luteum (Muhl.) Gleason.
