Prairie Trillium (Trillium recurvatum)

Prairie Trillium Close-up of flower of Prairie Trillium

Also Known as: Bloody Butcher, Red Trillium (a local colloquilization unfortunately reported by Swink & Wilhelm (1990); the name "Red Trillium" is often also applied to Trillium erectum, which Swink & Wilhelm claims to be the "ill-scented trillium." I will use the name "Prairie Trillium" to keep from confusing this species with T. Erectum. Prairie Trillium's scientific name is T. recurvatum. Lily (Liliaceae) Family.

Color variations: The color is usually the magenta shown above or a lighter shade, especially later in the year (i.e., as the flower ages.)

Commentary: The magenta petals are shaped like a lampshade surrounding a blackish lightbulb, the plant's sex organs. The mysterious, yet simple flower is located at the junction of a thin stem and three mottled leaves which strongly resemble Adder's Tongue in the mottled appearance. Indeed, the newbie to the woods might confuse the two leaf types, but Prairie Trillium's three leaves are more oblong and symmetrical. Also, Prairie Trillium's leaves are larger, grow from a stalk, and are easily identified even when the plant is just emerging from the ground (below).

(The young leaves wrapped around each other as shown above is common of many woodland flowers. Note: this is the underside of the leaf, which is exposed because it is less vulnerable because it has less chlorophyl.)

The three sepals are reflexed sharply downward, as shown at the bottom of the top picture.

Prairie Trillium is rumored to be intolerant of disturbance, but it will colonize disturbed areas. What it is not tolerant of is picking, which kills it like any other large trillium. I have tried and tried to transplant this species, but I have never been successful. The Prairie Trillium you have will multiply given the right opportunities, but it's difficult to get a new colony started.

Prairie Trillium is found throughout the Chicago area, prompting Swink & Wilhelm (1994) to remark, "Common in woodlands, and usually in such situations[,] the commonest (Trillium)" (755). It blooms much earlier than other trilliums and before many wildflowers.

Prairie Trillium is rarely found growing alone, and in such case it is probably a new colonizer establishing itself in an area. Often, the plant is found in large masses of perhaps more than a hundred individuals, of which the photograph below is but a small sample, limited only by the fact my hard drive is now full of pictures of wildflowers and the fact a large tree fell though the middle of this patch (far upper right corner).

(Prairie Trilliums often compete intraspecifically--i.e., with each other--for growing space.)

Prairie Trillium prefers to associate with the oaks and hickories rather than beeches and maples. It is also found near the bog and in bottom lands, though it is not endemic to those areas.

Precautions and Uses: NA.

References: See main Trillium page.

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