A unique-looking, beautiful plant, toadshade is a shade-loving perennial with marbled green leaves and deep red, upright flowers. It is very easy to grow but takes five to seven years before it will flower.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Trillium sessile is a species of flowering plant in the bunchflower family Melanthiaceae. The specific epithet sessile means “attached without a distinct stalk”, an apparent reference to its stalkless flower. It is commonly known as toadshade (not to be confused with Trillium recurvatum, which is also known by that name) or toad trillium. It is also called sessile trillium or sessile-flowered wake-robin, however it is not the only member of the genus with a sessile flower.
Trillium sessile is endemic to the eastern half of the United States. It has the widest range of any species of sessile-flowered trillium. There are two subpopulations geographically separated by a large gap in central Illinois where the species is strangely absent.
Trillium sessile was one of three Trillium species described by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753. It is a small perennial, herbaceous plant with three leaves, but unlike other sessile-flowered trilliums, the leaves are often not mottled. It has a single trimerous flower with three reddish-purple petals and six distinctive stamens that aid identification.
Trillium sessile is a perennial, clump-forming herbaceous plant with a thick underground rhizome. Like all trilliums, it has a whorl of three bracts (leaves) and a single trimerous flower with 3 sepals, 3 petals, two whorls of 3 stamens each, and 3 carpels (fused into a single ovary with 3 stigmas).
A single plant has one or two erect scapes (stems) per rhizome, each scape up to 25 cm (9.8 in) tall. The sessile (stalkless) bracts are elliptic, up to 10 cm (3.9 in) long and 8 cm (3.1 in) wide. The bracts may or may not be mottled. The erect, sessile flower nestled in the middle of the three bracts has a spicy, pungent odor. The sepals are mostly green but often streaked with purple along the edges or at the base of each sepal. The average length and width of a sepal is 21 mm (0.8 in) and 5.7 mm (0.2 in), respectively.
The petals are erect and long-lasting. Although their shape and color are variable, a typical plant will have elliptic, reddish-purple petals. The base of a petal is narrowed and, in some cases, will have a very short claw-like base about 2 mm (0.1 in) long. The average length and width of a petal is 24 mm (0.9 in) and 6.6 mm (0.3 in), respectively, just slightly larger than a sepal.
The stamens are about half as long as the petals, with the filaments being less than half the length of the inward-facing anthers. The anther connective tissue is prominently prolonged an average of 3 mm (0.1 in) beyond the yellowish-white pollen sacs. The 6-angled ovary is short and squat, topped by three erect, brownish-black stigmas that reach to the top of the anther sacs.
The fruit is ovoid or nearly round with an average height of 1.2 cm (0.5 in). The six prominent ridges merge into three near the top of the fruit, one for each stigma (which persist during fruiting). A mature fruit is whitish-green with a light pinkish tint, bearing 15–25 golden yellow seeds.
Trillium sessile flowers in April in most areas. In the southern part of its range it flowers as early as late March, while its northernmost populations may not flower until mid-May. In Tennessee, fruits were observed to ripen and drop off between June 20 and July 5. The above ground parts of the plant die back by mid-summer but may persist longer in areas that do not completely dry out. The foul smelling flowers attract its primary pollinators, flies and beetles.
In general, Trillium species are myrmecochorous, that is, ants facilitate seed dispersal in most (if not all) species. Since the seeds of T. sessile have attached elaiosomes, presumably its seeds are dispersed by ants as well.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Toadshade thrives best in partial sun conditions, where gentle, filtered light nourishes it without the harshness of midday sunlight. Its tolerance extends to full shade, indicative of its resilience in low-light environments, often found in its natural woodland habitat. When exposed to light outside its comfort zone, toadshade ‘s growth could be stunted, with potential leaf burn if subjected to direct, intense light. Adaptive in nature, toadshade may exhibit leaf variegation to cope with varying light levels. Ideally planted outdoors, toadshade should be situated in spots that mimic its preferred dappled light, such as beneath a canopy of deciduous trees, to ensure its optimal health and growth.
Temperature
Toadshade originates from North America and East Asia and like cool, moist habitats. It grows well in an environment with a temperature range of 8 to 12 ℃ and doesn’t tolerate high temperatures. It likes moisture and is not drought-resistant, and it prefers air humidity at 75% – 90%.
Watering
Thriving in the moist, shaded environments of its native woodland habitat, toadshade has adapted to require consistent moisture without being waterlogged. It exhibits a preference for evenly moist soil conditions and demonstrates moderate drought tolerance once established. Watering should align with its natural rhythms, translating to twice a week to maintain optimal hydration. As an understory plant commonly grown outdoors, toadshade benefits from mulching which helps retain soil moisture and mimics the leaf litter of its forest floor home.
Soil
Toadshade likes loose, fertile, moist, slightly acidic soil with good drainage. The ideal pH value range is 5.0-6.5, and shouldn’t exceed 7.3. If the soil is barren or has poor air permeability, you can improve it by mixing in a small amount of organic fertilizer.
Fertilizing
Nourish toadshade with balanced nutrition fertilizers for optimal health; a slow-release formula applied in early spring promotes vigorous growth and vivid blooms. Adequate quantity hinges on soil fertility, generally a light sprinkling suffices, reapplying biennially or as needed. Avoid over-fertilization to prevent root burn and ecosystem harm. Seasonal variations in growth entail adjusted feeding; less is more outside active growth phases. Apply fertilizer to moist soil and water thoroughly post-application for efficient nutrient uptake. An attentive fertilization regimen will reward you with a thriving toadshade.
Planting Instructions
Toadshade is not tolerant of transplanting, so the growing site needs to be chosen carefully. The planting site should be cool and shady, without nearby shallowly-rooted trees to compete with it for water. In the wild, the plant grows in humus-rich soils, so the planting soil also needs to be mixed with some humus.
Toadshade is best planted in the fall. Dig a 15 cm-deep planting pit, arrange and extend the plant’s roots neatly before putting it into the pit, cover the roots with soil, and press down lightly. It’s a good idea to cover the soil surface with organic matters like hay or shredded bark to retain moisture.
Propagation
Toadshade is a perennial plant with unique maroon flowers and mottled foliage that contributes to its visual appeal. For gardeners looking to propagate toadshade , sowing is the recommended method. To achieve success, one should use fresh seeds harvested after the plant’s fruiting period. These should be planted in a shaded area with well-draining, fertile soil that mimics the plant’s natural woodland habitat. Gentle care during the early stages of germination is crucial due to toadshade ‘s delicate nature and relatively slow growth rate. With patience and the right conditions, gardeners can cultivate and enjoy this charming species.
Transplanting
For transplanting toadshade , autumn is premium, allowing the plant to establish over winter for vigorous spring growth. It prefers shady, moist locations that mimic its natural woodland environment. Always remember, healthy root systems ensure successful transplantation.
III. Uses and Benefits
Although some accounts indicate that the cooked greens of this plant may be edible as an emergency food, the entire plant, and especially the root, is known to induce vomiting. The fruit is considered a suspected poison.
Trillium sessile has been used medicinally to treat tumors. It is sometimes cited as having been used as a poultice for boils and as a panacea-like decoction, but this claim is doubtful since it is attributed to Native American tribes (the Yuki and the Wailaki) of California, where this plant is not known to occur.
Trillium sessile is sometimes grown in woodland wildflower gardens. Like many trilliums, it often does not transplant successfully from the wild.
IV. Harvesting and Storage
10-14 weeks after toadshade blooms, when the fruits turn brown, it’s time to harvest the seeds for sowing. Pick the fruits off the plant, squeeze lightly to crack them open, and find the ripe brown seeds inside. The seeds can be sown right away or placed in moist peat soil for refrigerated storage.