Rose Family There are hundreds of tiny white flowers on each white stalk. I found this plant blooming at Laurel-Snow Pocket Wilderness in Dayton, TN. "Dioicus" means that these plants have either female flowers or male flowers on a single plant. Perennial Dioecious Where seen:Great Smoky Mountains NP,Laurel-Snow Pocket Wilderness
Milkweed Family Tennessee has 13 species of milkweed. They come in a variety of colors, including pink, orange, white, green, and maroon. Watch for Monarch caterpillars on milkweeds, the butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed leaves which contain a poison. Where seen:Great Smoky Mountains NP
Heath FamilyRhodo means "rose" in Latin, dendron means "tree." This particular "rose-tree" has white flowers and pale pink buds. Notice the green dotted nectar guides on the top petals. Rosebay rhododendron flowers are white, and Catawba flowers are pink. I found this one blooming along the Twin Arches Trail in Big South Fork in late May. The toxin found in the leaves of Rhododenron is andromedotoxin, it is poisonous to all domesticated animals. Perennial Where seen:Big South Fork NRRA, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Frozen Head SP, Warriors' Path SP
