Trillium vaseyi

Trillium species which share the species’ range are threatened by several factors. Logging is thought to be the most significant threat to this species. Habitat degradation caused by rooting feral pigs (Sus domesticus) has reduced Trillium populations within portions of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Bratton 1974). However, this species' preference for steep slopes largely eliminates this threat. Herbivory pressure caused by overabundance of White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) has not been demonstrated to negatively impact Trillium populations in the region primarily due to limited sample size of the relatively rare understory plants (Webster et al. 2005). The steep slopes preferred by the species largely mitigate this threat. Loss of hemlock canopy resulting from invasive Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae) is likely to result in habitat degradation and loss (Krapfl et al. 2011).

Much of the species’ range occurs in protected areas including Chattahoochee National Forest, Cherokee National Forest, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Nantahala National Forest (IUCN and UNEP-WCMC 2019). Additional research is needed to better characterize the population, population trend, and threats to the species. Conservation efforts aimed at preserving the species should be focused on management of the white-tailed deer population, elimination of feral pigs, and control of competing invasive plants. The species is cultivated ex situ at 23 botanic garden sites (BGCI 2019).