Maryland Golden-Aster; Chrysopsis mariana

Aster Family There are many different yellow asters and they can be difficult to identify. I photographed this plant at Big Ridge State Park. Perennial Where seen: Big Ridge SP, Great Smoky Mountains NP

Goldenrod - unknown species

Sharp-leaved Goldenrod; Solidago arguta

Aster Family This is a woodland goldenrod. There are also many different goldenrods which are difficult to identify! Perennial Where seen: Great Smoky Mountains NP

Pencil Flower; Stylosanthes biflora

Pea Family This flower blooms throughout much of the season. I found this one at Big Ridge State Park in early September. Perennial Where seen: Oak Ridge, Big Ridge SP

Curtis' Goldenrod; Solidago curtisii

Grandfather Mountain, NC October 10, 2006 This goldenrod blooms in the woods. It has large leaves and the flowers bloom in the leaf axils, similar to the Blue-stem Goldenrod.

Witch Hazel; Hamamelis virginiana

Hamamelidaceae Witch Hazel blooms in late October and early November when the leaves fall from the shrub . I found this plant blooming at the base of Ozone Falls on Nov. 5, 2004. Compounds in Witch Hazel bark have long been used in folk medicine as an astringent. Perennial - Shrub Where seen: Great Smoky Mountains NP, University of Tennessee Arboretum, Ozone Falls SNA, Laurel-Snow Pocket Wilderness, Warriors' Path SP

Blue-stem Goldenrod; Solidago caesia

Aster Family Goldenrods are notoriously difficult to identify, because there are so many of them and many of them are very similar. I'm going with the Blue-stem Goldenrod on this one because the flowers bloom in the leaf axils. I found this one blooming in the woods in Pickett State Park in early September. Perennial Where seen: Pickett SP, Great Smoky Mountains NP