Painted Trillium is a native, herbaceous perennial wildflower in the trillium family ( Melanthiaceae ). In nature, it can be found in acidic, humus-rich soils of ridges, slopes, and bog margins, mostly at high elevations and often associated with rhododendrons, hemlock, pines, or spruce. The species epithet refers to the undulate, or wavey, petals.

The flower is white with a dark red to purple blaze at the base and is borne on a single, erect stem in the spring. Attracts bees and other pollinating insects, moth larvae, ants, yellow jackets and mammals. Honeybees and other pollinators are attracted to the pollen of the flowers. Small mammals eat the fruits. Ants are attracted to the seeds, which they disperse.

Host plant for the Black-patched Clepsis Moth and the American Angle Shades Moth