Beth Root
Trillium erectum L.
Trillium erectum L., known as Beth Root, is a species in the Melanthiaceae family, native to eastern North America. It is found from northern Georgia to Quebec and New Brunswick, and in several U.S. states. The plant is a spring ephemeral, with a life cycle synchronized to forest environments. Its flowers exhibit a range of colors, including maroon, white, greenish, yellow, and pink, with maroon being the most common. Variability in flower position is also observed, including erect, horizontal, and pendent forms. While most color and positional variations are considered normal, large white-flowered populations in the Southern Appalachians may be genetically distinct.
Description
Trillium erectum L. is a member of the genus Trillium in the family Melanthiaceae. It is commonly known as Beth Root and is native to regions including New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and several U.S. states such as Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. The species is characterized by its floral color variation, with maroon being the typical form. White-flowered forms occur in large colonies in the Southern Appalachians and may represent a genetically distinct population. Flower position can vary from the typical erect form to horizontal or pendent. The species was first published in 1753.
Other common names
Beth RootBethrootBirthrootBirthwortIll-Scented TrilliumIll-Scented WakerobinPurple TrilliumRed BenjaminRed TrilliumStinking BenjaminTrille DresséWakerobinWet Dog TrilliumWet Dog Wakerobin
Distribution
New Brunswick · Nova Scotia · Ontario · Prince Edward Island · Quebec · DK · SE · Vermont-US · Global · Connecticut · Delaware · Georgia · Illinois · Indiana · Kentucky · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New York · North Carolina · Ohio · Pennsylvania · Québec · Rhode I. · South Carolina · Tennessee · Vermont
Synonyms
Trillium erectum f. erectum