Cornflower; Bachelor's Buttons; Centaurea cyanus*

Aster Family (INN) Rank 3 These pretty blue flowers are often planted in wildflower displays along highway medians. They are in the Composite Family and are not native to our area. I photographed these flowers growing along Cedar Bluff Road in Knoxville in May. Annual Where seen:Knoxville, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP

Small Bluets; Hedyotis crassifolia

Madder Family March 13, 2005 You'll have to look closely to find these tiny flowers, they are only about 1" tall! I found these growing in my schoolyard. Annual

Ajuga; Carpet Bugle; Ajuga reptans*

Mint Family This plant is often planted in yards and can escape into the wild. This one was growing next to my driveway. Perennial Where seen:Oak Ridge, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP

Nettle-leaf Sage; Salvia urticifolia

Mint Family

Mazus pumillus*

Snapdragon Family This rare plant has no common name. Like the previous plant, it too is a Japanese introduction. The flowers are much smaller than those of the previous plant. I found this growing behind the pavillion at Tremont in the Smokies in mid-May. Annual Where seen:Great Smoky Mountains NP

Corn Speedwell; Veronica arvensis*

Snapdragon Family April 6, 2005 These flowers are pinhead sized, so they are not easy to find. The plants are quite weedy once they become established in a yard.

Pale Blue-eyed Grass; Sisyrinchium albidum

Iris Family April 16, 2005 Pale Blue-eyed Grass is a lighter blue than its later blooming relative, the Eastern Blue-eyed Grass. I've seen a pure white version of this flower in Florida. I found these blooming in the Cedar Barrens at Jefferson Middle School in late April. Perennial Where seen:Haw Ridge Greenway, Jefferson Middle School Cedar Barrens

Dead Nettle; Lamium purpureum*

Mint Family Dead Nettle is a member of the Mint family, it can become weedy. These plants have a square stem, opposite leaves, and lipped flowers. Not all mints have a minty odor. These were blooming in Oak Ridge in early April. Annual Where seen:Oak Ridge, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warrior's Path SP, Ijams Nature Center, widespread

Ground Ivy; Gill-over-the-Ground; Creeping Charlie; Glechoma hederacea*

Mint Family I REALLY don't like Ground Ivy! It is a nasty weed that can grow in shade or sun. It can easily be identified by smelling the distinctive odor of the leaves. Like other members of the mint family this plant can take over a yard quickly. Unfortunately, I know what it can do first hand, it is trying to take over my yard! I photographed these at the University of Tennessee Arboretum in April. Ground Ivy is poisonous to goats and horses. Perennial Where seen:Oak Ridge, Great Smoky Mountains NP, University of Tennessee Arboretum, Warriors' Path SP, Ijams Nature Center, widespread

Indigobush; False Indigo; Amorpha fruticosa

Pea Family Aquatic May 18, 2005 Indigo bush blooms in mid-May, I found this one late in its flowering time. These bushes are usually found near water. I photographed this one growing on the bank of Melton Hill Lake at the Haw Ridge parking area. Perennial - Shrub Where seen:Oak Ridge, Haw Ridge

Princess or Empress Tree; Pawlonia (close-up); Paulownia tomentosa*

This tree is a native of Japan. It was once planted when a daughter was born for wood to build her dowery box. The trees grow quickly and are very prolific. I found this tree growing along an abandoned railroad track in Oak Ridge in April.

Ivy-leaf Speedwell; Veronica hederaefolia*

Snapdragon Family I found this flower blooming at the University of Tennessee Arboretum on March 18, 2005. It has leaves with stiff hairs. Annual Where seen:Oak Ridge

Blue-eyed Grass Pale close-up

Henbit; Lamium amplexicaule*

Mint Family March 13, 2005 This Mint family member is a very common roadside and yard weed. It looks similar to Dead Nettle. Note the tiny purple hairs on the upper part of the flowers and the nectar guides which show the pollinators where to find their food (note the pistil and stamens under the round cap). When I was little we called these "Turtleheads". These were blooming in Oak Ridge. Annual Where seen:Oak Ridge, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP, widespread

Heal-All; Prunella vulgaris

Mint Family May 18, 2005 This pretty little flower is found in both the woods and along the roadsides. I found this one blooming in the Oak Ridge Cedar Barrens. It blooms much of the year. Perennial Where seen:Oak Ridge, Frozen Head SP, Norris Dam SP, Piney River SNA, Big Ridge SP, Big South Fork NRRA, Jefferson Middle School Cedar Barrens, Haw Ridge greenway

Indigo Bush

Common Speedwell; Veronica officinalis*

Snapdragon Family May 11, 2006 I found this little plant growing along a trail at Haw Ridge. It has pretty little pale blue flowers. Height: 4-8" Perennial Where seen: Haw Ridge greenway

Thyme-leaf Speedwell; Veronica serpyllifolia

Snapdragon Family April 10, 2005 These flowers are very small. A hand lens can make the details of tiny flowers easier to enjoy. I found these blooming at the Piney River trailhead. Perennial Where seen:Oak Ridge, Great Smoky Mountains NP

Blue Field Madder; Sherardia arvensis*

Madder Family The flowers are pinhead-sized and pale lavender in color. The plant is common in yards. I remember being fascinated by finding these tiny flowers in my yard as a child growing up in Nashville. I found these blooming at the Marina in Oak Ridge in early April. Annual Where seen:Oak Ridge, Great Smoky Mountains NP, widespread

Nettle-leaf Sage; Salvia urticifolia

Mint Family Height: 12" - 20" May 2, 2005 I found these plants growing in a powerline cut at Haw Ridge greenway. The leaves of this plant resemble nettle leaves, fortunately they don't have the nasty prickles. They have a musky, minty aroma. The flowers are pretty with the white nectar guides. Perennial Where seen:Oak Ridge (Haw Ridge)

Lyre-leaf Sage; Salvia lyrata

Mint Family April 22, 2005 Lyre-leaf Sage can grow in a variety habitats, sometimes it can be found in clearings in the woods. I found this plant growing at the Oak Ridge Marina in early April. Note the square stem, a characteristic of all Mints. Perennial Where seen:Oak Ridge, Frozen Head SP, Norris Dam SP, Piney River SNA, Big Ridge SP, Big South Fork NRRA

Mazus; Mazus japonicus*

Snapdragon Family April 15, 2005 This little flower blooms in the Smokies during April in the yard at the Sugarlands Visitors Center in the Smokies. It is a member of the Snapdragon Family. "Japonicus" denotes the plants' origin - Japan. Annual Where seen:Great Smoky Mountains NP

Birdseye Speedwell; Veronica persica*

Snapdragon Family January 2005 These pretty little blue wildflowers brighten a sunny, cold, early spring day. On a cloudy day the flowers will be closed to protect their pollen. Notice the two stamens with the black anthers and white pollen. Look closely to see the white nectar guides and stripes on the petals. These flowers grow in large patches in yards and along roadsides. After a very warm spell in mid-January 2005, I saw these little blue flowers blooming at my school! Annual Where seen:Oak Ridge, Norris Dam SP, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP, widespread

Venus' Looking Glass; Triodanis perfoliata

Bluebell Family May 18, 2005 The name of this plant alludes to the shiny black seeds. They are not very big, so Venus must have had to look very closely to see her reflection in them! The leaves clasp the stem from which the species name arises. These bloom in May. I found them in Oak Ridge. Winter Annual Where seen:Oak Ridge, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP, Haw Ridge greenway, widespread {Formerly known as Specularia perfoliata}