Relict trillium facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Relict trillium |
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| Trillium reliquum demonstrating its three mottled elliptical, pointed leaves | |
| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Trillium
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| Species: |
reliquum
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The relict trillium (Trillium reliquum) is also known as the Confederate wakerobin or Confederate trillium. It is a special type of flowering plant that comes back every year. This plant is part of the Trillium family.
You can only find the relict trillium in the southeastern United States. It grows in parts of Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee. It's called a "relict" species because only a few groups of these plants are left. Long ago, there were many more of them. Sadly, a lot of their forest homes were cleared for farms and pine tree growing.
Because of this, the relict trillium was listed as an endangered species on April 4, 1988. This means it is protected by law. This plant likes quiet, undisturbed forests. It grows best in moist, well-drained soil near streams. It often grows with other wildflowers and forest leaves.
The relict trillium was first found near Augusta in 1901. But scientists didn't officially name it as a new species until 1975. More recently, in February 2010, hikers found the plant in Florida. In February 2021, a mountain biker found it for the first time ever in Walker County, Alabama.
What Does the Relict Trillium Flower Look Like?
The relict trillium has a unique flower. It sits directly on a curved stem, right in the middle of its three leaves. These leaves are often mottled, meaning they have different shades of blue-green, green, or silver. The plant usually flowers from March to April.
From an underground stem called a rhizome, a single shoot grows up. This shoot has the three mottled leaves and one flower. The flower is about half the size of the leaves. The stem often lies along the ground instead of standing straight up.
The flower has three petals and three sepals. Sepals are like small leaves that protect the flower bud. The sepals spread out and are usually purple inside. The three petals stand upright and are a bit twisted. Their color can be dark purple, greenish, brownish-purple, or even pure yellow. The petals are about twice as long as the stamens, which are the parts that make pollen. After flowering, a round, fleshy fruit appears from May to June.
Where Can We Find Relict Trillium Today?
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service keeps track of this plant. They have found it in 21 places across Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. It has also been seen in Tennessee and Florida. Scientists are not completely sure why this plant, which used to be found in many places, is now only in a few spots.
People usually don't pick this plant from the wild. This helps keep it safe, even though it is endangered. There is no sign that the number of relict trillium plants has gone down recently. This is good news for this special forest flower.
