This species, sometimes commonly called yellow trillium, has an unbranched, naked stem topped by three, evenly-spaced, lance-shaped to rounded, dark green, hosta-like leaves that are often mottled. The flower features three erect, yellow petals and three narrow, greenish sepals and appears stalkless atop the center of the three-leaf whorl. Flowers may have a faint lemon scent. A clump-forming plant that grows from thick, underground rhizomes which will spread slowly if left undisturbed. Foliage will usually die to the ground by mid-summer, particularly if the soil is allowed to dry out.