Poppy Family May 26, 2006 These pretty flowers decorate the medians and exit ramps along the interstates thanks to the Tennessee Department of Transportation. These were photographed at the Crab Orchard exit on Interstate 40. I once had a man call me to ask where he could find large masses of these flowers. When I explaned that they don't grow wild and are only planted along the interstates he was disappointed, he wanted them as a backdrop for a music video! The purple flowers are larkspurs that were in the wildflower seed mix. The flowers that the TDOT plants are not native, they are just for "eye appeal". Papaver species contain codine, morphine, and protopine, they are poisonous to cattle.
Close-up of Poppy
Heath Family July 11, 2006 I led a hike for the Tremont Summer Naturalist Week to Charlie's Bunion. I was excited to find these small Rhododendrons with pink flowers blooming on the slate rock outcropping (see next photo). I was a bit confused, because the plants were much smaller than the Catawba Rhododendrons found in other areas of the park. My first thought was it might be a Mountain Azalea, but my wildflower ID book ruled that out. The plants were very prevalent on the mountainside, they must have been spectacular a couple of weeks earlier when they would have been at their peak. My trusty old (and I mean REALLY OLD, first ID book from 1985), Great Smoky Mountains Wildflowers had it listed in the description with R. catawbiense. The plants grow only 3 - 4 feet tall compared to 8 - 12 feet. The flower clusters more sparse, not like the large "pompom" clusters of its' larger relatives. Dwarf Rhododendron has short leaves, the other 2 species have long leaves. Rosebay RhododendronR. maximum has white flowers and long leaves. All parts of rhodendrons are deadly poisonous to people and many animals. Shrub Where seen: Great Smoky Mountains NP May also be classified as: R. carolinianum map...
