Orobanche uniflora © William Britten use with permission only

Now here is a Smoky Mountains wildflower with a dramatic name!  One-flowered Cancer Root (Orobanche uniflora) is one of the root parasites. The tiny pale-white or lavender blooms sit atop hairy leafless stalks. They come up in clusters in rich, damp woods and stream banks. The bloom appears in April and May. These photos were taken along the Husky Gap Trail and the Old Sugarlands Trail near the Visitors Center.

There is another parasitic wildflower with the name Cancer Root, or Squaw Root.

If you are a Smoky Mountains wildflowers fan, 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 photos are on display, along with mugs, magnets and notecards.  There may be a special mountain memory for you to take home.

Smoky Mountains wildflower © William Britten use with permission only