Medicinal Monday... Stinking Benjamin

Purple Trillium is a perennial native wildflower that gives off a foul order resembling rotting meat, perhaps it's a way of fending off pollinators. It is native to the east and northeastern parts of North America and can be found in Connecticut. One of its most common nicknames is Stinking Benjamin. Native American communities found medicinal uses for many regional plants including this spring ephemeral!

About Stinking Benjamin

This flower blooms in early spring in rich, well-drained, deciduous woods. It is shade tolerant and is often found under deciduous trees in hardwood and mixed-wood forests. This perennial wildflower grows from a single smooth purple-green central stem with three hairless diamond-shaped leaves, there are also three whorled leaves that grow from the base of the flower stalk. The maroon-colored flowers have lance-shaped petals and bloom on a curved stalk about four inches above the leaves. The flowers have three green sepals and six stamens. When the flowers wither they leave a berry-shaped fruit that starts off green and changes to purple as it matures and eventually drops to the ground. The flowers bloom in May and June. 

Medicinal Uses

The best known Native American use for the root of this plant was as an aid to childbirth. The entire plant was also made into a poultice and used to treat tumors, ulcers, and inflammation. Specifically, records show that the  Cherokee made a poultice of this plant to treat cancer, they made a decoction and took it for coughs, and they made an infusion to help with hemorrhages and the change of life. The Iroquois made an infusion of the roots and flowers and used it to treat sunburn and skin eruptions.

Edible use of this plant was limited although several sources have noted that the leaves were gathered before the plant flowered and cooked like vegetables.

Did You Know...

The genus name Trillium is derived from the Latin word "tres" for three which refers to the flower petals as well as the leaves that grow in threes.

An alternate name for this plant is Bethroot, a misspelling of the word "birth root." 

It is threatened in Rhode Island and vulnerable in New York State.

This plant is not essential in the diet of wildlife.