The state of Georgia is the center of evolution for both subgenera of *Trillium*, the sessile and pedicellate species. Among the sessile Trilliums, centered on the lower Chattahoochee valley, *Trillium delicatum* is the rarest and most recently described (2019). There are only 4 known populations, each of which is teetering on the edge of extirpation because of deer predation and loss of habitat (north facing bluffs in the coastal plain over sticky calcareous floodplain soils). It absolutely should be federally endangered, but we lack the political will for such things in the hyper-biodiverse Southeast

by SirSignificant6576

1 Comment

  1. Constant-Factor37

    Important distinction is that Georgia is a current hotspot for diversity, but not necessarily an evolutionary origin point. Trilliums were once extremely widespread, especially back when the Bering land bridge existed and temperate forests stretched across the Northern Hemisphere.

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