Dwarf trillium facts for kids
The dwarf trillium (Trillium pusillum) is a small, pretty flowering plant. It is also known as the least trillium or dwarf wakerobin. This plant grows in the southeastern and south-central United States. You can find it from Oklahoma all the way to Maryland. It belongs to the plant family called Melanthiaceae.
Quick facts for kids Dwarf trillium |
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| Trillium pusillum, Carroll County, Arkansas | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Trillium
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| Species: |
pusillum
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| Synonyms | |
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Synonymy
Trillium ozarkanum E.J.Palmer & Steyerm.
Trillium pumilum Pursh Trillium pusillum var. monticulum Bodkin & Reveal Trillium pusillum var. ozarkanum (E.J.Palmer & Steyerm.) Steyerm. Trillium pusillum var. texanum (Buckley) Reveal & C.R.Broome Trillium texanum Buckley Trillium virginianum (Fernald) C.F.Reed |
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Contents
What Does the Dwarf Trillium Look Like?
The dwarf trillium is a perennial plant. This means it lives for more than two years. It grows from a thin, branching root system called a rhizome. This rhizome grows sideways underground.
The plant sends up one or two thin stems. These stems can grow up to 20 centimetres (7.9 in) (about 8 inches) tall. They get bigger after the plant flowers.
Leaves and Flowers
Each plant has three dark green leaves. Sometimes, when they are new, they have a reddish tint.
The flower has three green or reddish parts called sepals. These can be up to 3 centimetres (1.2 in) (about 1.2 inches) long. It also has three petals with wavy edges. When the flower first opens, its petals are white. But they quickly turn pink as they get older.
Inside the flower, there are six stamens. These are topped with lavender or yellow parts called anthers. Each anther can be up to a centimeter long. The flower also has stigmas which are long and narrow.
After flowering, the plant produces a soft fruit. This fruit is about 1–1.5 centimetres (0.4–0.6 in) long.
Where Does the Dwarf Trillium Live?
Dwarf trillium plants bloom from March to early May. You can find them in many different places. These include grassy areas called savannas. They also grow in wet places like swamps and bogs. You might see them in forests, woods, and open fields.
This plant prefers to grow in acidic soils. In Missouri, a state in the U.S., the dwarf trillium is often pollinated by western honey bees. These bees help the plant make seeds.
How Seeds Spread
After the seeds are made, they need to be moved to new places. This is called seed dispersal. For the dwarf trillium, tiny creatures help with this job. Ants and harvestmen (which look like long-legged spiders) help spread the seeds around.
Different Kinds of Dwarf Trillium
Just like there can be different types of apples, there are different types of dwarf trillium. Scientists use special names to tell them apart.
Two common types are:
- Trillium pusillum var. pusillum
- Trillium pusillum var. virginianum
The flowers of the virginianum type are usually a little smaller. Also, the flower of the pusillum type sits on a small stem called a pedicel. This pedicel can be 0.5 to 2 cm (0.20 to 0.79 in) long. The virginianum type usually has no pedicel, or a very short one. If it has one, it's less than 0.3 cm (0.12 in) long.
Some other names you might hear for different types include:
- Trillium pusillum var. ozarkanum
- Trillium pusillum var. texanum
Sometimes, the name Trillium texanum is used. Some people think this is just another name for the Trillium pusillum var. pusillum type.
