Trillium rugelii

Trillium rugelii
Mountainous form (McDowell County, NC; observed April 24)

Apparently Secure  (NatureServe)
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 affine Rendle
    • Trillium album (Michx.) Small
    • Trillium erectum var. album (Michx.) Pursh
    • Trillium rhomboideum var. album Michx.

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 18401848. Although the species is apparently secure across its range, statewide it is vulnerable at best.