Trillium pusillum
Trillium pusillum is a species of flowering plant in the family Melanthiaceae known by the common names dwarf trillium, least trillium and dwarf wakerobin. It is native to the southeastern and south-central United States from Oklahoma to Maryland. Description. "Trillium pusillum" is a perennial herbaceous plant with a thin, branching, horizontal rhizome. It produces one or two slender scapes up to tall. They increase in size after flowering. The three bracts are dark green, sometimes with a red tinge when new. The flower has three green to red-tinged sepals up to long and three wavy-edged  petals that open white but quickly age pink. The six stamens are tipped with lavender or yellow anthers each up to a centimeter long. The stigmas have long, narrow, spreading lobes. The pulpy fruit is long. Ecology. "Trillium pusillum" flowers from March to early May. It can be found in several habitat types, including savannas, swamps, bogs, forests and woods, and fields. It grows on acidic soils. In Missouri, it is commonly pollinated by the western honey bee ("Apis mellifera"), and the seeds are dispersed by ants and harvestmen. Taxonomy. In addition to "Trillium pusillum" , the following names are widely  accepted: The flowers of var. "virginianum" are usually slightly smaller than those of var. "pusillum". Also, the flower of var. "pusillum" sits on a pedicel in length whereas the flower of var. "virginianum" is sessile or subsessile. If a pedicel is present in the latter variety, it is less than in length. Many other names are in use, including: The name "Trillium texanum" , used interchangeably with "Trillium pusillum" var. "texanum", is regarded by some as a synonym for "Trillium pusillum" var. "pusillum".