The spotted trillium (Trillium maculatum) is one of the Spring Ephemerals that bloom alongside the trout lilies at Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve. Its dark red-maroon erect flower is a stunning contrast to the bright yellow of the trout lily flowers, and thousands of spotted trillium bloom each spring at Wolf Creek. Other common names for spotted trillium include toad shade trillium and spotted wakerobin, which is said to refer to the robins that appear in early spring when these trillium bloom. There are 38 trillium species in North America, mainly in the Eastern United States. Trilliums are primarily found in the rich soils of upland deciduous forests and slope forests.
They typically bloom in late winter or early spring before the tree canopy leafs out. The spotted trillium has an underground rhizome that sends up three mottled green leaves (technically “bracts”) and a single flower.
At Wolf Creek, the trillium flowers can persist for a few weeks after the trout lilies finish blooming. The trillium flower is pollinated primarily by flies and produces a fruit containing multiple seeds. Each seed is attached to an elaiosome that has a chemical attractive to ants and wasps, which eat the elaiosome and disperse the seeds. As summer approaches, the spotted trillium’s underground rhizome has replenished its energy reserves for next year’s bloom, its flower and leaves wither and disappear, and, like the trout lily, the spotted trillium becomes dormant until awakened in the spring.
The DNR Wildlife Viewing Grants Program emphasizes species and habitats that are conservation priorities in Georgia’s State Wildlife Action Plan. The plan is a comprehensive strategy to conserve native species and the habitats they need before these animals, plants and places become more rare and costly to conserve or restore.
They typically bloom in late winter or early spring before the tree canopy leafs out. The spotted trillium has an underground rhizome that sends up three mottled green leaves (technically “bracts”) and a single flower.
At Wolf Creek, the trillium flowers can persist for a few weeks after the trout lilies finish blooming. The trillium flower is pollinated primarily by flies and produces a fruit containing multiple seeds. Each seed is attached to an elaiosome that has a chemical attractive to ants and wasps, which eat the elaiosome and disperse the seeds. As summer approaches, the spotted trillium’s underground rhizome has replenished its energy reserves for next year’s bloom, its flower and leaves wither and disappear, and, like the trout lily, the spotted trillium becomes dormant until awakened in the spring.
The DNR Wildlife Viewing Grants Program emphasizes species and habitats that are conservation priorities in Georgia’s State Wildlife Action Plan. The plan is a comprehensive strategy to conserve native species and the habitats they need before these animals, plants and places become more rare and costly to conserve or restore.