Ill-scented Trillium
Trillium rugelii Rendle
Trillium rugelii is a species of flowering plant in the family Melanthiaceae, native to the southeastern United States. It is known by the common name Ill-scented Trillium and is also referred to as the southern nodding trillium due to its white flower that typically nods beneath the leaves. The species was named in honor of Ferdinand Rugel, a botanist and plant collector active in the southeastern U.S. from 1840 to 1848. It is distributed in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The species was first described by Rendle in 1901 from a collection at the British Museum. Typification efforts have clarified its lectotype and related nomenclatural history.
Description
Trillium rugelii was described in 1901 by Rendle based on a collection by Rugel at the British Museum (BM). A lectotype was selected from a sheet at BM (BM 327335 & BM 001009870), which includes two stems, one designated as the lectotype and the other as an isolectotype. The name T. rugelii has a complex taxonomic history, with T. album introduced by Small in 1903, based on Michaux’s T. rhomboideum var. album, which is now recognized as T. rugelii. Observations indicate that the floral fragrance of T. rugelii varies and can resemble that of foamflower (Tiarella), fragrant violets, or Cyclamen. The species is considered secure overall but may be vulnerable in certain states.
Other common names
Ill-scented TrilliumIll-scented WakerobinIllscented TrilliumIllscented WakerobinSouthern Nodding TrilliumSouthern Nodding Wakerobin
Distribution
Global · Alabama · Georgia · North Carolina · South Carolina · Tennessee