Ginseng Family Height: 4" - 8" April 15, 2005 This plant blooms early in the season. It is very tiny (4-8 inches) and very easy to overlook hidden in the leaves. Finding some wildflowers is a lot like hunting Easter eggs, you often have to look low and under leaves. I found these blooming on the Chimney Tops Nature Trail in Great Smoky Mountains Park. Perennial Where seen:Frozen Head SP, Great Smoky Mountains NP
Mustard Family Height: To 36" (INN) Rank 1 April 14, 2005 This plant can take over when it starts growing in a suitable area. Many plants in the Mustard Family have seed pods that split and throw their seeds. It is a problem on the Wildflower Trail in Oak Ridge. The leaves have a garlic-like odor. It blooms in April. Winter Annual or Biennial Where seen:Oak Ridge Greenways, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warrior's Path SP
Hamamelidaceae April 24, 2005 Endangered This shrub grows in dry woods in Tennessee. I cheated on this photo, I found these flowers growing around a church sign in Oak Ridge! The white stamens are easy to see on the blooming flower, note the double pistils on the older flowers in the background. Perennial - Shrub Where seen: Oak Ridge