Rosy Twisted Stalk (Streptopus roseus) © William Britten use with permission only

Rosy Twisted Stalk (Streptopus roseus) is a member of the Lily family, and a small Smoky Mtns wildflower that blooms in May.  It’s rare in the Smokies, but take a walk along the Appalachian Trail going west between Newfound Gap and Indian gap, and you will see this plant within a half-mile. The delicate tiny bell-shaped blooms hide below the overhanging leaves on a “twisted” stalk about 24 inches long. The blooms will ripen into red berries later in the summer.  Another common name is Scootberry, because you would be scooting off to the outhouse after eating the berries.

The William Britten Gallery along the historic Arts and Crafts Trail on Glades Rd in Gatlinburg, TN features my complete display of Smoky Mountains photos. Please stop in for a visit and see if there may be a Smokies memory there for you to take home!

Also, if you are a wildflower enthusiast, please join my Smoky Mtns Wildflowers Community on Facebook. We trade photos and tips on bloom locations.

Smoky Mtns Wildflower © William Britten use with permission only