TRIANTHA: THE HIDDEN CARNIVORE

TRIANTHA RACEMOSA (Walter) Small

Common name: coastal false asphodel

A species of the southeastern United States, found from Alabama to Texas and Virginia. It grows in wet pine savannas, bogs, and other lowland wetland habitats.

A specimen from Kew's Herbarium | Herbarium, RBG Kew

DESCRIPTION

• Flowering stems 20-70 cm tall
• Narrow, linear leaves up to 35 cm long
• Loose raceme bearing 15-80 flowers
• White flowers that turn orange as they age
• Tepals 2.5-5 mm long
• Flowers from June to August

HABITAT

Occurs on moist, sandy soils in pine savannas and bogs, often growing alongside pitcher plants and sundews. The species is restricted to lowland habitats of the southeastern United States.

DISTRIBUTION MAP

Fig. 1. Known distribution range of Triantha racemosa.

DID YOU KNOW?

A population of Triantha in New Jersey shows characteristics intermediate between T. glutinosa and T. racemosa. These plants are thought to be natural hybrids, possibly representing a remnant of a time when the ranges of the two species overlapped.