Trillium sessile

Taxobox
name = Toadshade


image_width = 240px
image_caption = "Trillium sessile"
status = G4
status_system = TNC
status_ref = Cite web
publisher =NatureServe
title = Trillium sessile
work = NatureServe Explorer
url = http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Trillium+sessile+
accessdate = 2007-07-04]
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Liliopsida
ordo = Liliales
familia = Melanthiaceae
genus = "Trillium"
species = "T. sessile"
binomial = "Trillium sessile"
binomial_authority = L.
synonyms = "Trillium sessile" forma "viridiflorum" (Beyer)

"Trillium sessile" (Toadshade or Sessile-flowered wake-robin) is a perennial spring wildflower native to the central part of the eastern United States and the Ozarks. It is a small trillium (rarely over 9 cm tall). Toadshade can be distinguished from other trilliums by its single foul smelling, stalkless, flower nestled in the middle of its three leaves. The three maroon petals, maintain a "closed" posture throughout its presence, the petals are occasionally pale green. The leaves are sometimes, but not always mottled with shades of light and dark green. Its species name comes from the Latin word "sessilis" which means low sitting, and refers to its stalkless flower.

Ecology

"T. sessile" is most common in rich moist woods but also can be found in rich forests, limestone woods, flood plains, along fence rows. It is persistent under light pasturing. [ [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242102011 Flora of North America: Trillium sessile] ] The foul smelling flowers attract its primary pollinators, flies and beetles. [ [http://www.missouriplants.com/Redopp/Trillium_sessile_page.html Missouri Plants: T. sessile] ] The flowers are present from April-June. This plant is clump forming from a thick rhizome. The above ground parts of the plant die back by mid-summer, but may persist longer in areas that do not completely dry out.

Toadshade is listed as state threatened in Michigan and state endangered in New York; both states are on the northern edge of its range. [ [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=TRSE2 USDA PLANTS Database: Trillium sessile] ]

Classification

Uncommon, green flowered forms of this plant are sometimes classified as "Trillium sessile" forma "viridiflorum" (Beyer).

Uses

Though some accounts indicate that the cooked greens of this plant may be edible as an emergency food, however the entire plant, and especially the root is known to induce vomiting. The fruits are considered a suspected poison. [ [http://www.fs.fed.us/ne/delaware/ilpin/3018.co ILLINOIS PLANT INFORMATION NETWORK: Trillium sessile] ] This plant has been used medicinally to treat tumors. [ [http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/duke/ethnobot.pl?ethnobot.taxon=Trillium%20sessile James Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases: T. sessile.] ] "T. sessile" is sometimes cited as having been used as a poultice for boils and as a panacea-like decoction, but this is doubtful as it is attributed to Native American tribes (the Yuki and Wailaki) of California, where this plant is not known to occur. [ [http://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl?searchstring=Trillium+sessile Dr. Moerman's Native American Ethnobotanical Database: T. sessile] ]

This plant is sometimes used in woodland wildflower gardens. Like many trilliums, "T. sessile" often does not transplant successfully from the wild. [ [http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/Plant.asp?code=R860 Missouri Botanical Gardens: Kemper Garden Center: Trillium sessile] ]

References

External links

*Wikisource-inline|The Botanical Magazine/Volume II/40|pagename
*Wikispecies-inline