Character comparisons of species of Trillium within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Adapted from a chart by Tom Patrick


T. erectum T. flexipes T. rugelii T. simile T. sulcatum T. vaseyi
Presence
and voucher locations
TENN=UTK, GRSM=Park, none=both
TN: Blount Co., Cocke Co., Sevier Co.; NC: Haywood Co., Swain Co., NC: Swain Co. (GRSM) TN: Blount Co. (TENN), Cocke Co. (TENN), Sevier Co.; NC: Swain Co. TN: Blount Co. (GRSM), Sevier Co. (GRSM); NC: Swain Co. not in park -- for comparison only TN: Blount Co., Sevier Co.; NC: Haywood Co., Swain Co.
Leaves
shape

attachment

subrhombic

sessile

broadly elliptic to obovate
subsessile

rhombic

subsessile

broadly elliptic

sessile

broadly elliptic to obovate
subsessile

elliptic

petiolate
Pedicels
length

attitude

short to medium
above to below leaves

medium to long
above to below leaves

short

below leaves

medium

above leaves

long

above to same level as leaves

short

below leaves
Flower profile (side view)
overall
ovary

petals


open
exposed

flat, nearly perpendicular to axis


widely agape
exserted, bug-eyed
arched to recurved


open
exposed

basally recurved


widely agape
hidden by petal bases
arched outward


agape
hidden by petal bases
apically recurved


open
hidden by filaments
basally recurved
Predominant flower coloration
petals
ovary
pollen

stamens


maroon, white
black
violet to yellow

maroon


white
white
creamy

white


white
maroon
maroon

maroon


white
black
light yellow

white to maroon-tinged


maroon
purple
purple to yellow

dark maroon


maroon
purple
grey-violet to dull yellow
maroon
Flower fragrance weakly fetid, as a wet dog mildly musty, as staminate catkins ? weakly sweet,
as green apples
mildly fungal, as fresh mushrooms strongly funereal, as pungent roses
Relative length ratios
pedicel/ leaf
sepal/ pedicel
filament/ anther
stamen/ pistil


0.20-0.55
0.5-0.8
0.4-0.6
0.8-1.3


0.45-0.75
0.4-0.7
0.2-0.5
0.7-1.4


0.2-0.3
0.8-1.3
0.2-0.3
0.8-0.9


0.35-0.6
0.4-0.7
0.3-0.6
1.2-1.8


0.45-0.8
0.2-0.4
0.4-0.7
0.9-1.6


0.20-0.45
0.5-0.7
0.6-1.1
1.2-2.5

T. cuneatum T. luteum
T. catesbaei T. grandiflorum T. undulatum
Presence
and voucher locations
TENN=UTK, GRSM=Park, none=both
TN: Blount Co. (GRSM), Sevier Co. (GRSM); NC: Swain Co. (GRSM), TN: Blount Co., Sevier Co.; NC: Haywood Co.
TN: Blount Co. TN: Blount Co. (TENN), Sevier Co.; NC: Swain Co. TN: Blount Co. (GRSM), Cocke Co., Sevier Co.; NC: Haywood Co., Swain Co.

Leaves
shape

attachment

ovate to ovate-elliptic
sessile

ovate-elliptic

sessile


elliptic-ovate

subsessile to petiolate

ovate to rhombic

sessile to subsessile

ovate

petiolate
Pedicels
length

attitude




short

below leaves

short

above leaves

short

above leaves
Flower profile (side view)
overall
ovary

petals





elliptic to oblanceolate sometimes with a twist





elliptic to lanceolate



turks-cap lily
hidden by petal bases
arched outward; recurved to revolute


funnel-shaped
hidden by petal bases

arched outward


open
visible

spreading
Predominant flower coloration
petals
ovary
pollen
stamens


bronze to maroon
maroon
yellow
maroon


yellow
pale green
yellow
pale green



white to pink
pale green
yellow
pale green


white to pink
green
yellow
pale green


white with red V
white to tan

white to tan
Flower fragrance banana bread lemon
? ? ?
Relative length ratios
pedicel/ leaf
sepal/ pedicel
filament/ anther
stamen/ pistil
sepal/petal




0.1
0.9-1.2
0.9-1.0




0.1
1.4-1.5
0.6-0.7



0.3
0.9-1.0
1.0-1.1
1.2-1.8


0.2-0.4
0.7-1.0
"much shorter"
"much longer"


0.3-0.4
0.6-0.7
"shorter"
"shorter"

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restored: 28 May 2004 sfarmer@goldsword.com