Orchid May 7, 2005 This is a very beautiful woodland orchid. There are two other yellow Lady's Slipper Orchids in Tennessee, the Small Yellow and the Southern varieties. The twisted sepals on this flower help distinguish it from the others. These plants were about 18" tall. I found them in the Smokies. I was so excited when I saw them, I squealed with delight. I startled a poor unsuspecting photographer who was focusing on these flowers behind a large boulder! ***Update*** While attending a photography workshop in April 2006, I was stunned to learn that some moron had dug up these beautiful plants! It made me sick to learn I'd never be able to enjoy those spectacular flowers again. Some people can be so dumb and selfish! Perennial Where seen:Great Smoky Mountains NP, Frozen Head SP, University of Tennessee Arboretum (story)
Aquatic Alder shrubs are common along stream sides and lake banks. These are among the earliest blooming flowers that you may encounter in the spring. I found these blooming in mid-February! The flowers are monoecious. Note the reddish pistillate (female) flowers on the tips of the twigs. The long staminate (male) flowers are loaded with pollen. When I held the branch to take the photo, the flowers nearly exploded with pollen! In the floral world males are expendable, these flowers will fall off in a couple of weeks. I took this picture at Ijams Nature Center in south Knoxville. Where seen: Ijams Nature Center, Oak Ridge Greenways
