Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) can be found along rich hillsides in late April and May. The spathe (pulpit) might be green or come with purple stripes. The inflorescence (Jack) has tiny flowers at its base. This Smoky Mtns wildflower is one of only five...
Little Brown Jug (Hexastylis arifolia) is a member of the Birthwort family. Look for its rubbery, arrow-shaped leaves, which are evergreen. Peek beneath them, and there are the jugs, lying on the ground or covered with leaves. These jugs are actually the flowers, or...
Umbrella Leaf (Diphylleia cymosa) is a rarely seen Smoky Mountains wildflower and a relative of the more familiar May-apple. It can grow to three feet tall with large leaves spanning 24 inches. It favors damp conditions and deep shade, and so can be found in steep...
Vasey's Trillium (Trillium vaseyi) is the largest and the last blooming of the Smoky Mountains trilliums. It is found only in the Southern Appalachians and is infrequently found in the Smokies. The photos on this page were taken on the Kanati Fork Trail in late April....
White Baneberry (Actaea pachypoda) is a member of the Buttercup family, and it blooms in mid to late April in the Smoky Mountains. I have often seen it blooming near the beginning of the Porters Creek Trail in the Greenbrier. This wildflower is aromatic and can grow...
Speckled Wood Lily (Clintonia umbellulata) is small member of the Lily family. It goes by several names, including Clinton's Lily and White Clintonia. This wildflower grows on acidic forest floors, putting up an umbel atop a long stalk. The flowers may be speckled...
There are several species of Bellwort that you may encounter during Smoky Mtn springtime trail hikes. In the photos above and below you can easily see where the name comes from. Above is Perfoliate Bellwort (Uvalaria perfoliata). It's smaller than Large-flowered...
Yellow Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium pubescens) is a stunning and rare member of the orchid family. This is an April blooming Smoky Mtn wildflower. Because of its scarcity and beauty, the Yellow Lady's Slipper is endangered by poaching. For this reason, location...
In April of every year the Smoky Mountains are showered with dogwood blooms like a late spring snowstorm. Everywhere you go ... up in the Greenbrier, along the Little River or the lower elevations of the Newfound Gap Road ... in Elkmont and Tremont ... the dogwoods...
Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) is an unusual Smoky Mountains wildflower found in April on moist hillsides and stream banks. It's a member of the Birthwort family, and the rhizomes do actually have the taste and smell of ginger. The plant has been used as a natural tea...
This past week I took advantage of a lovely spring morning to walk to Bud Ogle Nature Trail before my day in the Gallery began. The Bud Ogle Farm is a popular tourist stop at the start of the Roaring Fork Motor Trail, one of the best Smoky Mountains drives. Most...
Shooting Star (Dodecatheon meadia) is an unusual and attractive Smoky Mtn wildflower. It's a member of the Primrose family and grows to two feet high. All of the photos on this page were taken in mid-April during a hike to White Oak Sinks in the Smokies. The...