Identification: Plants have one to two round stems, are 1-2′ (30-60 cm) high, and are found on
forest floors. A whorl of
three leaves forms atop each stem, each leaf facing straight upward, with a single flower emerging from the center. Leaves are oval or diamond-shaped in
shape, wider at the base, tapering to pointed tips, and with even edges. Flowers are usually maroon, but may
also be a brighter red, white, or greenish yellow. They have three true petals and three petal-like
bracts, arranged to look like a six-petaled flower. These flowers are sometimes called stinking benjamin
or stinking willie because they smell like a wet dog. The odor attracts flies that pollinate the plants.
Fruits are dark maroon in color, smelling faintly of fruit, rounded to slightly pyramid-shaped,
⅜-½″ (1-1.5 cm) around.