Introductory words

1. How many of you know what a Trillium looks like?

2. How many of you have at least one Trillium species in your gardenor on your property?

3. After this discussion, I want you all to be able to recognize a Trillium during wildflower rescues or hikes, remember that Georgia has more different Trillium species than any other state, and pledge to never remove native plants from their natural habitat unless they are in imminent danger of being destoyed.

4. Georgia has more different Trillium species than any other state. The number 20, with the 21st under consideration - 9 sessile species or no flower stem or pedicle and 11 pedicellate speceis which obviously have a flower stem called a pedicle.

5. Flower parts and differences. So now you know the 2 basic types of Trillium. Any questions?

6. First the sessile species - T. cuneatum species or Purple Toadshade is the Trillium with the widest distribution in the State, the most common species.

7. Rest of the sessiles:

T. luteum, decumbens, discolor,decipiens, reliquum, lancifolium, maculatum, underwoodii

8. Now for the pedicellate species. The bloom can either be erect on its stem or hang down beneath the petals. Catesby's Trillium is the most widespread of the pedicellate species in the State.

9. Rest of the pedicellates:

T. grandiflorum, rugelii, vaseyi, erectum, simile, sulcatum, flexipes, persistens, pulsillum, undulatum

1. Most common species found on rescues are T. cuneatum, T. catesbaei, and T. rugelii

Rescue Techniques

2. Rescue technique for all species and aftercare -

Clear away leaf litter and dig down about 5 inches. Gently lift clump out and into your bag, retaining as much soil as possible. If the stem breaks, not to worry. Plant at the same depth as the plant was growing and water. Do not let the roots become dry.

Keep plant moist for a month or 2 and scatter a small amount (1 tbsp) of Epsom Salts around the base of T. cuneatum and rugelii. The following spring, scatter a small amount of dolomite/dolomitic limestone around the base of the plants. (Do not use these 2 items on T. catesbaei.)

Remember, all Trillium species are shade plants but will take a fair amount of filtered morning sun. They will do poorly if they receive much hot afternoon sun.

3. Questions?

Dolomitic limestone has both calcium carbonate and magnesium cargonate
Epsom Salts - Magnesium sulphate