Trillium rugelii
| Trillium rugelii | |
|---|---|
| Mountainous form (McDowell County, NC; observed April 24) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae | 
| Clade: | Tracheophytes | 
| Clade: | Angiosperms | 
| Clade: | Monocots | 
| Order: | Liliales | 
| Family: | Melanthiaceae | 
| Genus: | Trillium | 
| Species: | T. rugelii | 
| Binomial name | |
| Trillium rugelii | |
| Synonyms | |
| Heterotypic synonyms 
 | |
Trillium rugelii is a species of flowering plant in the family Melanthiaceae. It is endemic to the southeastern United States. Its white flower is typically found nodding beneath the leaves, hence it is known as the southern nodding trillium (not to be confused with Trillium cernuum, which also goes by that name). The specific epithet rugelii honors Ferdinand Rugel, a botanist and plant collector who collected plant specimens throughout the southeastern U.S. during the period 1840–1848. Although the species is apparently secure across its range, statewide it is vulnerable at best.