I adore the Catesby’s trillium (T. catesbaei) in my front garden and am especially tickled that it bloomed in time to star in April’s Wildfower Wednesday.
Trillium catesbaei
Why do I like this particular trillium? First, it’s a pass-along plant from a friend with an extensive wildflower collection. Most of her plants were purchased many years ago at a time when it was commonplace for mountain folk to dig native plants from the wild and sell them at a downtown market. So, I’m happy to have a plant that reminds me of my friend and I’m also glad to keep this “captive” thriving, and even multiplying. In 2013 there was a single plant, but now there are four!
I also like the trillium because it’s perky and petite. The perennial is less than a foot tall and it’s blooms are the size of a quarter. Plus, the egg-yolk yellow anthers pop with color against the rosy recurved petals.
This pink bloom opened today; flowers typically darken after pollination by bumblebees.
Finally, the name of the plant honors Mark Catesby, a British naturalist who explored the plants and animals of the Southeast in the early 1700s. Catesby produced the first published account of flora and fauna of North America, The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands. I have four Catesby prints hanging in the dinning room. My favorite features the red-bellied woodpecker and the hairy woodpecker on black oak.
Catesby print of woodpeckers and black oak.
To see more wildflowers in bloom, visit Gail at Clay and Limestone.
Such a dainty Trillium–new to me. I like your print.
Susie–Experts say Catesby’s trillium is one of the most common in the Piedmont, though the one I see most often is Sweet Betsy.
What a tiny Trillium! I’m thinking Rana catesbyana, the bullfrog, was also named for him? Interesting, I hadn’t heard of him.
Hannah–I don’t know but seems like a good guess!
I have never seen this Trillium before, it is gorgeous. I love your Catesby print. I must learn more about him. I’m off to Amazon to see if I can find any books about him.
Chloris–I hope you will share some of the best of what you discover. Mr. Catesby should be a very interesting rabbit hole.
Two treats for me in one post, trilliums and woodpeckers!
Ah, I love things that come in threes. Lovely trillium and woodpecker print. Happy Spring Gardening!