Yellow Mandarin (Disporum lanuginosum) © William Britten use with permission only

Yellow Mandarin (Disporum lanuginosum) is a member of the Lily family. This Smoky Mtns wildflower blooms in late April or early May, growing one to two feet tall up to the mid-elevations. Typically the bloom is a pair of bell-shaped yellow-green flowers dangling beneath the leaves, giving it the other common name, Fairy Bells.  One of the photos on this page was taken along the Kanati Fork Trail, and the other on Porters Creek Trail, way up near Fern Branch Falls.

There is another flower from this family in the Smokies, Spotted Mandarin, which has creamy white blossoms with speckles, and is rare.

When the wildflower hunt is over or when rain holds you back from a hike, please stop in at the William Britten Gallery on Glades Rd in Gatlinburg.  The complete display of Smoky Mtns photos might contain a special memory to take home!

Also, please consider joining my Smoky Mtns Wildflower Community on Facebook.  We share photos and exchange identification tips and trail locations.

Yellow Mandarin (Disporum lanuginosum) © William Britten use with permission only