Violet Family April 15, 2005 This is a very early blooming (March) stemless yellow violet I found growing at Frozen Head State Park. This park has 11 species of violets. Perennial Where seen:Frozen Head SP, Haw Ridge Greenway, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors'Path SP
Heath Family Gregory's Bald, in the Smokies, is "aflame" (pun intended!) with these beautiful flowers in June. It is worth the 11-mile round-trip hike to see them! Flame azaleas can also be pink, white, red, and even mixed colors; some are quite fragrant. All plants in the Rhododendron species are poisonous, the toxin found in them is andromedotoxin, it is poisonous to all domesticated animals. All parts of azaleas are deadly poisonous to people. Perennial - Shrub Where seen:Great Smoky Mountains NP, Lone Mountain State Forest, Frozen Head SP, Cumberland Trail
Orchid Family The leaf of this plant is very strongly veined. Like its relative, the Cranefly Orchid, the leaf appears in the spring, it dies back to be followed by the flowers later. It blooms in May. Perennial Where seen:Oak Ridge Greenways
