Barberry Family This is not a common plant, so you're lucky to see it blooming in rich mountain woods. I found this colony blooming in April along the Little River Trail in the Smokies. Following photo shows close-up of flowers. Perennial Where seen:Great Smoky Mountains NP
Barberry Family Mayapple flower close-up with raindrops
Barberry Family Height: 12" - 20" April 22, 2005 Only plants with 2 leaves will have a flower (this plant has just one leaf because it got mowed off!). It blooms in April and the green fruit, "apple," appears in May or June. I photographed this one along the Wildflower Greenway Trail in Oak Ridge. Mayapples often grow in large colonies. All parts of this plant are poisonous to pigs, cattle and humans, they contain the toxins alpha- and beta- peltatin, podophylloresin. The ripe fruits are not poisonous, but too many of them will cause diarrhea in humans. Perennial Where seen: Great Smoky Mountains NP, University of Tennessee Arboretum, Frozen Head SP, Warrior's Path SP, Ijams Nature Center
