White Baneberry (Actaea pachypoda) is a member of the Buttercup family, and it blooms in mid to late April in the Smoky Mountains. I have often seen it blooming near the beginning of the Porters Creek Trail in the Greenbrier. This wildflower is aromatic and can grow to about 3 feet tall.
In the fall the hard white berries give this wildflower its other common name, Doll’s Eyes. You can see in the photo below where the name Doll’s Eyes comes from. The name Baneberry implies that these berries may be poisonous and should not be eaten.
You can follow the wildflower season on Facebook by joining the Smoky Mountains Wildflower Community, where we share photos, identification, and tips on locations and trails.
When you are in the Gatlinburg area, please stop in at the William Britten Gallery where my complete collection of Smoky Mountains photography is on display. I’m in Morning Mist Village on Glades Rd along the Arts and Crafts Trail.