Bloody Butcher (Trillium recurvatum)
Description
Trillium recurvatum, the bloody butcher or prairie trillium, is a spring wildflower in the Melanthiaceae family. It is native to parts of the central and eastern United States, where it is found from Iowa south to Texas and east to North Carolina and Pennsylvania. It natural habitat is mesic forests and savannas, often in calcareous soil. Its flower has three brown to maroon petals that are typically under 3 centimetres (1.2 in) long. The petals are recurved, with tips converging over the stamens. The fruit has 6 well developed ridges (see photo). The seeds include structures known as elaiosomes, to promote dispersal by ants and other foraging insects.
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum: Magnoliophyta
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Class: Liliopsida
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Order: Liliales
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Family: Melanthiaceae
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Genus: Trillium
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