Tall Coreopsis; Coreopsis tripteris
Aster Family I found this pretty flower blooming along the river at Big South Fork in mid-August. This "DYC" is pretty easy to identify because of the three-parted leaves. These plants can get up to 9 feet tall! Perennial Where seen:Big South Fork NRRA, Great Smoky Mountains NP
Thin-leaved Sunflower; Helianthus decapetalus
Aster Family The species name means "ten petals." I photographed this plant at Big South Fork in mid-August. Note the long, winged leaf stalks (petioles), they help differentiate this plant from other "DYCs" (*%$#!@ Yellow Composites). Perennial Where seen:Big South Fork NRRA, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP
Light orange variety Flame Azalea
White variety Flame Azaleas
Lance-leaf Loosestrife; Lysimachia lanceolata
Primrose Family Frozen Head State Park July 4, 2007 These plants were growing along the side of the trail going up to the fire tower. They were only about a foot tall, much shorter than other species of loosestrife. The leaves of this plant are very narrow. I had to get down on the rocky ground to take this photo. Ouch!
Whorled-leaf Coreopsis; Coreopsis major
Aster Family These do not grow in deep woods, but will bloom in bright openings. Perennial Where seen:Great Smoky Mountains NP, Piney River SNA, Warriors' Path SP
Wood Lily; Lilium philadelphicum
Lily Family Rare Height: 1' to 3' June 23, 2005 It was such a wonderful treat to see this lone lily blooming along a gravel road in the Big South Fork NRRA! It is interesting to see the way the petals are constricted at the bases. I liked the black spots on the petals. The whorled leaves are an easy way to identify the plant when there are no flowers. Perennial Where seen: Big South Fork NRRA
Multi-colored Flame Azaleas These were breathtaking!
Horse Balm; Stoneroot; Collinsonia canadensis
These are really interesting flowers to look at up close! They are a member of the Mint family. Notice the spider in the lower left corner, she must be looking for a meal such as the hoverfly in the lower right corner. Perennial Where seen: Piney River Pocket Wilderness, Big South Fork NRRA, Warriors' Path SP
Appalachian Yellow Loosestrife; Lysimachia tonsa
Primrose Family Height: 8" - 36" June 1, 2003 I found this growing at Laurel - Snow Pocket Wilderness in late May. The flowers of this plant have more rounded petals than the Yellow Whorled Loosestrife Perennial Where seen: Laurel - Snow Pocket Wilderness, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Big South Fork NRRA
Hairy lettuce; Lactuca hirsuta
Aster Family This flower was blooming along the Bald River Falls Trail in the Cherokee National Forest near Tellico Plains. I found it in mid-July. Note the purple-hued flower bracts and stem. Annual Where seen: Cherokee NF
Lily family Height: 6' August 12, 2005 This was another one of those flowers that my husband had to pull over on the side of a gravel road for me to see! We were on our way to Max Patch with our friend Charlie when I spotted it. At first I thought it was a Turk's Cap Lily, but the petals are not reflexed as strongly. Perennial Where seen: Great Smoky Mountains NP, Frozen Head SP
Yellow variety Flame Azalea
Heath family Height: 4"-12" July 7, 2005 This unusual plant is a saprophyte, with the help of a fungus that grows into the roots it is able to obtain nutrients. It is related to Indian Pipe, another plant that contains no chlorophyll. Like other members of the Heath Family, it is found in woods with acidic soils. Perennial Where seen: Great Smoky Mountains NP, Frozen Head SP
Yellow Whorled Loosestrife; Lysimachia quadrifolia
Primrose Family Height: To 3' May 26, 2003 This is a lovely plant with the stalked yellow flowers blooming above the whorled leaves. Perennial Where seen: Big South Fork NRRA, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warrior's Path SP, Cumberland Trail
Oxeye; Heliopsis helianthoides
Aster Family These "DYC's" can be such a pain to identify. I found this plant blooming in a cedar barren in Oak Ridge in mid-July. Perennial Where seen: Jefferson Middle School Cedar Barren, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warrior's Path SP
Smooth False Foxglove; Aureolaria laevigata
Snapdragon Family This pretty yellow-flowered plant blooms in mid-July. I found this one blooming in Oak Ridge. I like to watch bees pollinate the flowers. Perennial Where seen: Oak Ridge Greenways, Big Ridge SP, Frozen Head SP, Piney River Pocket Wilderness, Great Smoky Mountain NP, Pickett SP, Warriors' Path SP
Flame Azaleas mix Gregory's Bald is famous for its spectacular display of multi-colored Flame Azaleas the last week of June. It requires an 11-mile round-trip hike, but it is well worth the effort! This is an example of the different colors that can be seen. Yellow, orange, pink, and white azaleas follow. map...
Large Yellow Wood Sorrell; Oxalis grandis
This flower is related to the smaller, weedy version that grows in yards. I found this one growing along one of the Haw Ridge trails in late May. Perennial Where seen: Big South Fork NRRA, Haw Ridge Greenway, Great Smoky Mountain NP
Fringed Loosestrife; Lysimachia ciliata
Primrose Family June 22, 2007 Roan Mountain State Park