Smoky Mountains Wildflowers: Dog Hobble © William Britten use with permission only

Dog Hobble (Leucothoe fontanesiana) is among the early Smoky Mountains wildflowers.  It’s a member if the Heath family, like Trailing Arbutus, the Azaleas, Rhododendron and Mountain Laurel. The plant has evergreen, leathery leaves, and gets its name from a tendency to form impenetrable tangles along streams in the Smokies. The strongly scented white bloom clusters can usually be spotted in April. The leaves are reported to be highly toxic, perhaps even fatal, if eaten.

If you are a fan of Smoky Mountains wildflowers, please consider joining my wildflower page on facebook.  We feature photography and information on bloom sightings. And if you’re travelling to the Smokies on vacation, please stop in at the William Britten Gallery along the historic Arts and Crafts Loop on Glades Rd. in Gatlinburg. All of my Smoky Mountains landscape photography is on display, and there may be a special mountain memory for you to take home.

Dog Hobble © William Britten use with permission only