Trillium catesbaei aka Bashful Wakerobin

Trillium catesbaei is a wildflower of woods in the southeastern United States. People call it Catesby's trillium or bashful trillium. It is part of the Melanthiaceae family. It grows from rhizomes, which are underground stems. Its range spans Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and both Carolinas. It grows in oak woods, moist slopes, and cove forests. Within North Carolina, it grows most often in the Piedmont.

This plant grows slowly in clumps and lives for years. It sheds its leaves each year. Garden plants reach about 0.7–1.6 feet [0.2–0.5 metres] tall. They spread about 0.5–1.6 feet [0.15–0.5 metres]. NC State gives a narrower spread than the RHS. Stems stand upright and may be green, purple, or red-tinged. Each stem has three oval green blades with strong veins. These leaflike parts are bracts. They form a whorl, a ring around the stem. Their edges are smooth, and their tips taper sharply.

Lone flowers hang below or among the bracts on curved stalks. Each has three petals that bend back and three sepals. Petals range from white through pale pink to deep rose. Each flower spans about 0.13 feet [0.04 metres]. In North Carolina, blooms can last from March through June. In summer, the plant bears reddish fruits that look like berries. These are capsules, each split into six sections. Brown seeds bear a fleshy part called an elaiosome. This draws ants, which help spread the seeds. Bees visit the blooms, and moth caterpillars feed on the plant. Small mammals eat the fruit, and deer browse the foliage.

Grow it in part or full shade, in humus-rich soil. Keep soil moist, but let excess water drain away. It suits acid to neutral soil, including clay and loam. It copes with warmer, drier sites than some other trilliums. The RHS advises a leaf mould mulch in autumn. Plant it beneath shrubs or in small woodland groups. Keep it clear of plants that might crowd it out. It needs no pruning. Once plants settle in, they dislike a move. Plants grown from seed may take several years to bloom. NC State lists USDA zones 4–9; the RHS rates it H4.

Serious problems are rare, but slugs, snails, and aphids may attack. Leaf spot, rust, and smut can also occur. NC State says young leaves still unfolding are edible after cooking. It says to wash them, then boil for ten minutes. Take leaves only from sites with no pesticide treatment. NC State also warns that the fruit is mildly poisonous. It does not name the poison or state its effects. Edible young leaves do not make the whole plant safe to eat.