Red Trillium
Trillium erectum
- Plant Type
- Herbaceous perennial (Deciduous)
- Landscape Layer
- Herbaceous Layer
- Spring Ephemeral
- Yes
- Sun
- ⛅ Part Sun, ☁️ Shade
- Moisture
- 🏜️ Dry, 💧 Regular
- Soil
- Clay, Loam, Sand, Calcareous
- Bloom
- April, May, June
- Sociability
- S2 – Small groups
Ecology & Conservation
- Proximity Score
- 0
- Native Status
- ✅ Outaouais ✅ Ottawa ✅ QC ✅ ON
- Closest Direction
- Local
- CEC Eco-Regions
- 5 – Northern Forests, 5.2 – Mixed Wood Shield, 5.2.3 – Algonquin/Southern Laurentians
- Rarity Notes
- Secure (S5) in both Ontario and Quebec. Globally ranked G5 by NatureServe with IUCN status LC (Least Concern). Not listed under SARA or COSEWIC. Common throughout the Ottawa-Gatineau region with abundant herbarium and observational records. Populations can be locally impacted by deer browsing.
S22 G5, S5 ON, S5 QC; S26 not SARA listed; S10 deer browsing pressure
- Rarity Ranks
- QC S5 – Secure, ON S5 – Secure
- Migration
- Stable
- Ecological Context
- A characteristic spring wildflower of rich, mesic deciduous forests, particularly sugar maple-beech communities. Occurs on fertile, humus-rich soils of wooded slopes and valley bottoms. Associates include Acer saccharum, Fagus grandifolia, Allium tricoccum, Erythronium americanum, Trillium grandiflorum, and Caulophyllum thalictroides. The fetid flowers attract carrion flies as pollinators, and seeds are ant-dispersed (myrmecochory).
S7 rich deciduous forests with sugar maple associates; S10 sugar maple-beech woodlands; S6 rich forests
Permaculture & Companion Planting
- Roles
- Ground cover, spring ephemeral, ant-dispersed
- Notes
- Pairs naturally with other spring ephemeral woodland wildflowers in rich deciduous forest understory. Effective in guild plantings beneath sugar maple canopy with other shade-tolerant ground-layer species. Tolerates juglone, making it suitable for planting near walnuts and butternut.
S3 tolerates juglone; S7 associates with sugar maple forests
Medicinal Properties ℹ
Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any plant for medicinal purposes. The information provided is compiled from secondary sources for educational purposes only.
Click here for more info →
ℹ
Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any plant for medicinal purposes. The information provided is compiled from secondary sources for educational purposes only.
Click here for more info →- Category
- Antiseptic, Astringent, Expectorant, Gynecological aid, Uterine tonic, Dermatological aid, Pediatric aid
- Notes
- Extensively used in Indigenous medicine. The Abnaki ground bulbs for pediatric ailments. The Cherokee used poultices for ulcers and tumors, and infusions for menstrual complaints and respiratory conditions. The root contains steroidal saponins with hormonal effects, used historically as a birthing aid and uterine tonic. Contraindicated during pregnancy.
S28 Abnaki and Cherokee uses; S29 steroidal saponins, uterine tonic
Edibility & Foraging ℹ
Never ingest a plant unless you have 100% certainty of its identity and have consulted multiple reputable sources. The information provided in the Localeaf Plant Database is compiled from secondary sources for educational and historical purposes only.
Click here for more info →
ℹ
Never ingest a plant unless you have 100% certainty of its identity and have consulted multiple reputable sources. The information provided in the Localeaf Plant Database is compiled from secondary sources for educational and historical purposes only.
Click here for more info →❌ Not Edible
- Foraging Notes
- Young unfolding leaves can be eaten raw or cooked as a potherb, reportedly tasting like sunflower seeds. However, the plant is not commonly eaten and berries and roots have low toxicity. Traditional use was primarily medicinal rather than dietary.
Seed Source
- Botanically Inclined