Milkweed Family Height: 8" - 20" This milkweed has groups of four leaves in a circle or whorls, thus the species name, "quadrifolia". The flowers are longer stemmed than the White Milkweed. The Chestnut Top Trail was where I found this plant blooming in late April. Perennial Where seen: Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warrior's Path SP
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
Caprifoliaceae This small shrub is common along the Piney River Trail in Rhea County. The leaves look very similar to some maple tree leaves. It has very small flowers that bloom in May. Perennial - Shrub Where seen:Piney River Trail, Frozen Head SP, Great Smoky Mountains NP
