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Description:
Southern nodding trillium (also known as illscented wakerobin) is a perennial herb, approximately 60.96 centimeters (cm) (2 feet) in height (Carmen 2001) with an erect stem arising from a short, horizontal rhizome. The stem terminates in a whorl of three leaves and a solitary pale yellow or cream flower. Leaves solid green (NatureServe Explorer 2005). Southern nodding fern flowers from April to May (Carman 2001) and has pale yellow or cream flowers borne on a pedicel. The flower petals are ovate to elliptic in shape, relatively thick in texture, straight-margined, maroon or white, rarely yellow or green (if white, turning brown with age), and much broader than sepals, The distinct stigmas are thicker at their base and tapering gradually toward apex (tip). The ovary is purple-black, maroon, pink, or white. The anthers are 7.0 millimeters (mm) (0.275 inches) or greater in length, and longer than filaments (NatureServe Explorer 2005). Southern nodding fern has stamens having white filaments and vivid purple anthers (see above photographs) (Carman 2001). Southern nodding trillium are considered by some botanists to be conspecific with nodding trillium (Trillium cernuum). In the southeastern portion of its range, intermediate forms of southern nodding trillium are often encountered (NatureServe Explorer 2005).
Habitat:
Southern nodding trillium inhabits rich woodlands and forests over mafic or calcareous rocks (Weakley 2002), often found near (downslope) of Catawba rhododendron (Rhododendron catawbiense). Southern nodding trillium typically inhabits moist well drained soils. The species is found on lower slope elevations, over limestone, dolomite, or marble. Forest canopy vegetation is dominated by a closed to nearly closed canopy of mesophytic trees including calciphilic or basophilic species. Some typical canopy species in this community include chinkapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii), black walnut (Juglans nigra), and American ash (Fraxinus americana). Southern nodding trillium habitat is heavily influenced by water and sedimentation from upslope areas (NatureServe Explorer 2005).
Range:
Southern nodding trillium is found in mesic forests of the mountains and piedmont of North Carolina and Tennessee, south to Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. The species is locally abundant in portions of Georgia, however it is considered rare elsewhere in its narrow (NatureServe Explorer 2005). range.
References
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