Trillium received the name Birthroot because pioneers understood that Indians used plant to induce labor. This has never been verified. However, Indians did employ it extensively to treat open sores and wounds, even for interior bleeding. Menomini Indians used freshly dug roots to make a wet dressing for eye inflammation. Other tribes used roots to treat sore nipples (Potawatomi) and as ear drops (Chippewas).

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Birthroot still remains a folk cure for bleeding and skin irritations. Studies indicate that it probably acts as an external astringent and might help external bleeding.

The leaves still sometimes serve as a potherb or salad green in Appalachia.

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"Trillium sessile (Toadshade or Sessile-flowered wake-robin) is a perennial spring wildflower native to the central part of the eastern United States and the Ozarks. It is a small trillium (rarely over 9 cm tall). Toadshade can be distinguished from other trilliums by its single foul smelling, stalkless, flower nestled in the middle of its three leaves. The three maroon petals, maintain a "closed" posture throughout its presence, the petals are occasionally pale green. The leaves are sometimes, but not always mottled with shades of light and dark green. Its species name comes from the Latin word sessilis which means low sitting, and refers to its stalkless flower.

Trillium sessile is most common in rich moist woods but also can be found in rich forests, limestone woods, flood plains, along fence rows. It is persistent under light pasturing. The foul smelling flowers attract its primary pollinators, flies and beetles. The flowers are present from April-June. This plant is clump forming from a thick rhizome. The above ground parts of the plant die back by mid-summer, but may persist longer in areas that do not completely dry out.

Toadshade is listed as state threatened in Michigan and state endangered in New York; both states are on the northern edge of its range."

Taken from wikipedia's page at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T...

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