Broomrape Family April 28, 2005 Height: 2" - 8" A parasite of plant roots, One-flowered Cancer Root does not have leaves or contain chlorophyll. As the common and genus names imply, each stem has only one flower. This picture was taken in the Great Smoky Mountains in a deep woods along the Chestnut Top trail in late April. Perennial Where seen: Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP
Allegheny spurge is a monoecious plant, it has flowers of individual sexes. Look closely at the pink-tinged flowers at the bottom of the stalk, they are the female, or pistilate, flowers. The upper flowers are the staminate (male, pollen-producing) flowers.
Box Family March 28, 2005 You'll have to get out early in the spring to find this wildflower in bloom! I found these along the Oak Ridge Northridge trail. The genus name means "thick stamen." The leaves are evergreen, so you can find them during the winter and then watch for the flowers to emerge in the spring. This was my first new flower of 2004! Perennnial Where seen:Oak Ridge Greenways, Great Smoky Mountains NP
