April 15, 2006: 20 years ago today

Ahhh, trillium!  Every year, I just can't get enough. Just one more picture.  Before they fade away for the year.

These two specimens were collected on April 15, 2006 by Loree Speedy in Fayette County, Pennsylvania along the Monongahela River.  Loree is an active botanist in the region, collected many specimens over the years that are in the CM herbarium, and serves as the Secretary of the Botanical Society of Western PA.

These specimens are Trillium erectum, also known at red trillium, wakerobin, or even "stinking benjamin," among other names. It is one of several trillium species found in Pennsylvania.  The two most common species in SW Pennsylvania are (white or large-flowered trillium) and this species, red trillium (Trillium erectum).  You can often find them in the same forest, co-occurring together.  But there also seems to be some population separation, with areas of the forest being more one species, while another area of forest is more the other species.  Maybe...I'm speculating a bit here.

Another fun speculation, that needs to be tested, is the observation that red trillium comes in many forms, with some incredible variation.  The most striking is the petal color, which can range from white to cream to deep red to even yellow.  In our region, you'll often find a population that is mostly one color, but with a few straggling indiivudals of another color (if you look hard enough!).  It is common, for instance, to find a population that is nearly entirely white petaled, with hundreds of plants, but with one stray red petaled plant. What's up with that?!  

Loree collected in the same location both the red petaled and white petaled form.

You'll also see some striking variation in the pedicel, the stem that connects the flower to the "leaves" of three.  It sometimes droops below the "leaves" while other times well above the leaves.

It can be called "stinking benjamin" because it has a faint wet dog odor. (I don't know who this Benjamin was...but an interesting legacy to have!) Though, there seems to be variation in the scent as well!

This species isn't quite a spring "ephemeral" because although it blooms early, its leaves persist into summer.  We have done and are doing some fun research with this species, ranging from the impact of deer and invasive garlic mustard (deer love it; garlic mustard disrupts its symbiotic relationship with belowground fungi) to its coloration in summer (some of the plants turn red in summer as they go dormant...but why?!).  

There is so much beauty in trillium. And so much wonder and curiosity to explore.  

[white petaled form of] red trillium (Trillium erectum) in Plum Borough, Pennsylvania April, 13, 2026.