Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Sunday - June 17, 2012
From: Rochester, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Two-leafed trilliums
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Turns out our 2 leafed plant IS a trillium..I saw that another person from our town also asked about trilliums..we are happy to have them, but it is confusing when the third upper leaf is absent or very, very tiny!ANSWER:
Now, I see that you have answered your own plant identification question. I suppose your plant was either Trillium erectum (Red trillium) or, perhaps, Trillium sessile (Toadshade). You would not have found it by doing the search I suggested in your first question because the database refers to the color of the flowers for the two trilliums as "red" and not "purple". The information about T. erectum on eFloras, however, says that the flowers can be "red, maroon or dark purple." The general information about the Genus Trillium on eFloras tells us that what we are calling "leaves" aren't true leaves, but bracts. A bract, according to our Glossary of Botanical Terms, is:
"A reduced or modified leaf occurring at the base of a flower or group of flowers. Bracts are sometimes arranged in rows, like shingles on a roof, usually closely cupping the blossoms of Compositae (Sunflower Family); see also Phyllaries. Sometimes brightly colored or petallike, as in Castilleja (paintbrush), or threadlike, as in Daucus carota (Queen Anne's lace)."
Nowhere in the eFloras description of trilliums did I see any mention that sometimes one of the bracts is missing or reduced. The missing or reduced third leaf (bract) would make identification difficult. I am, however, very happy you figured out what your plant is.
I believe that this is the other question about trilliums from Rochester, NY that you referred to.
From the Image Gallery
More Plant Identification Questions
Identity of a plant at UGA Trial Gardens 15 years ago
August 14, 2012 - Looking to identify a plant that was in UGA trial gardens about 15 years ago, large plant with purple flowers, fuzzy leaves like a lambs ear. Thought it started with a Thiobana or something like that
view the full question and answer
Why do Turk's cap plants have such a variable growth habit?
December 10, 2015 - In visiting the Family Garden at the Lady Bird Wildflower Center yesterday (10-21-15,) I admired a large bunch of Turks Cap that had more blooms than I had ever seen on Turks Cap, and I've loved that...
view the full question and answer
Identification of purple wildflower shaped like a bottle rocket
June 19, 2013 - Dear Smarty Plants,
the other day while driving north on 281 from San Antonio I noticed a purple wildflower that was shaped sort of like a bottle rocket, seemed to have leaves similar to verbena and ...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification request from Wales, United Kingdom
November 17, 2011 - I have a plant that has green and pink leaves and the flowers are dry but are like fingers on a hand. The leaves drop down when it needs watering, which is every other day, and the finger shaped clust...
view the full question and answer
Identification of shrub/small tree with small purple fruit
July 31, 2013 - Hi! I have a tree/bush that has come up on its own in the backyard. This year it set what looks like small purple plums. Is there any chance that they might be poisonous?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |