Dwarf Ginseng (Panax trifolius) is a tiny plant. The photos on this page make it seem larger than it is. In reality it is something like a white gumdrop lying on the forest floor! The globe-like blossom at the end of a single stem is known as an umbel. This variety...
Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) is a delicate and beautiful presence all along Little River Rd in the Smoky Mountains during April. Look opposite of the river, along the rock walls that border the road. Their pale orange and yellow colors actually blend into the...
Bleeding Heart (Dicentra eximia) is the largest, rarest, last to bloom, and probably the most stunning of the Smoky Mountains Dicentras. The other two in this family are Dutchman's Breeches and Squirrel Corn. The word "dicentra" in Greek means "two-spurred," and...
Porters Creek Trail in the Greenbrier area of the Smoky Mountains is in peak bloom for spring wildflowers right now. The upper portion of the trail, from the long footbridge over the creek on up to Fern Falls, has a stunning ground cover of Fringed Phacelia. I counted...
Wood Anemone (Anemone quinquefolia) is a Smoky Mountains wildflower that is fairly common in moist woodlands, blooming in early April. The photos above and below were taken in the White Oak Sinks area of the Smokies. This species puts out a single blossom, which is...
The hike to Spruce Flat Falls in the Tremont section of the Smoky Mountains is one of my favorite outings. Last weekend I headed up the trail once more, this time with my daughter Sarah and her husband Paul, my four grandsons and brand new grand-daughter in a papoose!...
Trout Lily (Erythronium umbilicatum) is an early spring bloomer that can be found before the trees leaf out in the lower elevations of the Smoky Mountains. However, I have seen it blooming much later near the 6000 foot level along the Clingman's Dome Road. Trout Lily...
Sweet White Trillium (Trillium simile) is the white form of Wakerobin Trillium, and is also called White Wakerobin. In the lower elevations of the Smoky Mountains this large trillium usually blooms in late March or early April. Sweet White Trillium can be identified...
The calendar has turned towards warmth and renewal, the Smoky Mountains trails are shaking off their winter drowse, and once again we are headed towards the great spring wildflower pilgrimage. This is an exciting time of year when the trails seem to change on a daily...
The gorgeous wildflower above is a Showy Orchis (Galearis spectabilis) photographed near the Porter's Creek trailhead. Wildflower season is finally here again!
The wildflower season is just getting started. As of Monday, March 14th, here's what's happening on the Chestnut Top Trail, one of the best wildflower trails in the Smoky Mountains. There's an army of Bloodroot ready to unfurl their flags. These should be in full...