Trillium tennesseense
# Trillium tennesseense

Trillium tennesseense, the Tennessee trillium, is a species of flowering plant in the family Melanthiaceae. It is found exclusively within two counties in northeastern Tennessee. Due to its limited range, it is designated as a critically imperiled species.

## Description

Trillium tennesseense most resembles T. oostingii but the two species differ with respect to several features. In particular, T. tennesseense has filaments nearly equal in length to its ovary (vs. less than half the length), a shorter ovary (2–4 mm vs. 6–16 mm), and stigma lobes distinctly longer than the ovary (vs. equal to the ovary length). When the plant is in full bloom, the flower emits a smell reminiscent of old-fashioned shoe polish.

## Taxonomy

Trillium tennesseense was first described and named by Edward E. Schilling and Aaron J. Floden in 2013. As of March 2023, some authorities recognize the name Trillium tennesseense E.E.Schill. & Floden, but others regard it as a synonym for Trillium lancifolium Raf.. Both species are members of the sessile-flowered trilliums (Trillium subgen. Sessilia), a group of species typified by Trillium sessile.

## Conservation

The global conservation status of Trillium tennesseense is Critically Imperiled (G1). The State of Tennessee lists the species as endangered.

The IUCN Red List considers Trillium tennesseense to be a synonym of Trillium lancifolium. However, based on IUCN criteria, Trillium tennesseense is Critically Endangered (CR).

