Heath Family April 10, 2005 These pale pink flowers have a delicate, sweet fragrance. They bloom very early. The flowers often bloom beneath the leathery, evergreen leaves. Like many other members of the Heath family they grow in acidic soil. I made a special trip to Piney Falls State Natural Area in early April to find these in bloom. Perennial Where seen:Frozen Head SP, Piney Falls SNA, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Big South Fork NRRA
Heath Family These are a type of beautiful woodland wild azalea. It is in the Heath Family. Pinxterflowers have a nice, sweet smell. I found this plant at the University of Tennessee Arboretum in Oak Ridge in April. Perennial Where seen:University of Tennessee Arboretum, Oak Ridge Greenways, Great Smoky Mountains NP
Birthwort Family April 10, 2005 The fleshy little brown flowers have an odor that attracts fungus gnats as their pollinators. Ants spread the ripened seeds in the fall. The seeds have a sticky coating that ants like to eat. The evergreen leaves have a very spicy, sassafras-like aroma, pinch a tiny piece off and sniff it. I photographed these on the Piney River Trail in Spring City in April. Perennial Where seen:Great Smoky Mountains NP, Frozen Head SP, University of Tennessee Arboretum, Piney River Trail, Oak Ridge Greenways, Haw Ridge Greenway, Warriors' Path SP
