This spring, I photographed a type of trillium that I have been having a hard time identifying. I think I’ve finally got it tenatively identified as Trilllium Cuneatum. While several of my wildflower reference books had descriptions of similar trillium, the plants were referred to by several different names, including Toadshade Trillium, Sweet Betsy Trillium, Hugher’s Trillium and Toad Trillium. Usually I’m able to match my photographs with reference photos for a positive idenficiation – but this time I couldn’t find any that look just like my photos.
I finally found a post on the Rurality blog with photos of several differenct Trillium Cuneatum and in every photo, the plant is different. Given the variety of ways that Trillium Ceneatum appears – no wonder I was having trouble identifing it.
Here are a few photos of Trillium Cuneatum. They were taken in the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee near Bald River Falls earlier this year.
As you can see, the flowers on the trillium stand straight up, similar to the Yellow Trillium (trillium luteum). The leaves are shades of green.
(c) 2009 Patty Hankins
(c) 2009 Patty Hankins
(c) 2009 Patty Hankins
(c) 2009 Patty Hankins
(c) 2009 Patty Hankins
If I’ve got this trillium mididentified, please let me know. I’m pretty sure it’s Tillium Cuneatum, but it’s quite possible that it’s another type of trillium.