The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a world well know preserve of wildflower diversity. About 200 species of wildflowers bloom across the Smokies in a procession that starts as early as February at the lower elevations and ends when autumn arrives on the high ridges. Spring is the season for wildflowers in the park, however, the park is not without flowers at other seasons.

Wildflowers in the park include both native and exotic (non-native) species. Generally the native species are woodland flowers and the exotic species are field and roadside flowers. The black-eyed Susan, pictured at the top of this page, is one of most characteristc species of the park and is often found along shady mountain streams. The best locations for finding this flower are Balsam Mountain Road and Clingmans Dome Trail. It blooms between July and October.

Check with a ranger or on bulletin boards at the visitors centers for what is blooming in a specific area. Also, we recomend that anyone interested in discovering and identifying the many wildflowers of the park should acquire a suitable publication in any of the visitor centers. To prepare this page we used extensively information from the following:

• Forests and Wildflowers, folder published by the Great Smoky Mountains Natural History Association, Gatlingburg, TN
• Wildflowers of The Smokies, by Peter White, Tom Condon, Janet Rock, Caron Ann McCormick, Pat Beaty, Keith Langdon, also published by the Great Smoky Mountains Natural History Association, Gatlinburg, TN

The vegetation pattern of the Smokies is the most complex in all of North America due to differences in elevations and the ruggedness of the mountains. These conditions produce distintive environmental pockets that facilitate the diversity of the plants found in this park. The serious observer of wildflowers will find several isolated habitats that are home to surprising species.

Some photos of wildflowers:

Pink Turtlehead (Chelone lyonii)

This flower blooms from July to September. You will find it mainly at the Clingmans Dome Road and the Boulevard Trail. This flower is one of nature's wonders. Five petals have fused into two-lipped tube to "swallow" bees. When a bee pushes into the flower, the four fertile stamens place pollen into its head and back. At the next flower, pollen is accepted by a single pistil.

Filmy Angelica (Angelica triquinata)

This plant belongs to the parsley family. It can be found in open rocky woods, meadows, and stream banks, mainly around the Balsam Mountain Roadn and the Boulevard Trail. It blooms in August and September. It is a robust wildflower with a stout and vigorous appearance. The individual flowers are minute and greenish-yellow in color. Please note in the photo at left the bees feeding in the flower. Some observers have indicated that bees apparently become intoxicated after feeding on angelica flowers and behave crazily.

Bee-Balm (Monarda didyma)

The bee-balm pertains to the mint family, thus it is a delight not only for the eyes but for the nose as well. Its striking red flowers in dense heads are attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Two pollen-containing stamen protrude from each flower. Like many mints, bee-balm has a square stem and opposite leaves. Its habitat is in rich, moist woods and can be found at Clingmans Dome Road and Kanati Fork Trail and blook between July and October.

Crane-Fly Orchid (Tipudaria discolor)

This orchid is most easily identify by its distinctive leaf (although it is not present when the plant blooms). This orchid's specieis name discolor, refer to the two-colored leaf: green on top and purple below. The solitary leaf also makes this a "backwards" plant as it emerges in late summer and vanishes the next spring. The flowering stalk, produced at midsummer with no leaves at all, bears up to two dozen blossoms. The bronze flowers can be difficult to spot against the leaf litter of the forest.

There are only two species onf crane-fly orchid in the world, the one found in the Great Smoky Mountains and another found in the Himalayas.

We discovered this specimen at the Deep Creek area. Also, it can be found at Cades Cove Loop Road and Lower Mt. Cammerer Trail. Crane-fly orchid is one of the most common orchids in the park and it is often seen along trails.

White Wood Aster (Aster divaricatus)

This aster has daisy-like heads comprised of 5-10 white ray flowers (outer petals) and yellow or red central disk flowers. The leaves are thin in texture and are arranged alternately on the stem.

Each aster flower head is actually a group of many tiny flowers. Its habitat is the woodlands. This flower can be found at Clingmans Dome Road and Schoolhouse Gap Trail. It blooms from August to October.

Warnings

• Spring wildflower enthusiasts should always be prepared for a sudden turn to cold, wet weather. Warm clothing and rain gear should be available at all times.
• Spring flooding is common during the peak wildflower season. Care should always be taken when fording rain swollen creeks.
• Summer hikers should be prepared for rain as well. Storms sneak up and strike with very little warning in the Smokies.
• During thunderstorms, return to the safety of your car, is possible, or seek shelter in the deeper forest.
• An unprepared hiker cought in a fall rain shower could become a victim of hypothermia.
• Be aware of loose rocks, unbridged streams, and steep hillsides. Stay off cliff faces, be careful around water.
• Hikers should always carry a map and follow trail signs. Please stay on the trails and plan to be in camp or back to your car by dark.
• If children are accompanying you, equip them with a load whistle and instruct them to sit and blow the whistle should they became separated from you.
• Keep children at close range.
• Stay away from poison ivy. It grows as a ground plant as well as a tree-hugging vine.
• Keep one eye open for snakes. Most snakes will sense you coming and move off or simply hide. There are two poisonous species of snakes in the park: the timber rattlersnake and the northern copperhead. They can be differentiated from the other non-poisonous snakes by the snake's head. Both have triangular head with an obvious "neck'' between head and body.
• Watch for bees, hornets, and wasps. Wearing colorful clothing and perfumes can attract bees to you.
• Please do not litter. Garbage must be disposed of in bear-proof trash cans.
• Do not feed the wildlife. By feeding the wild animals, you will imperil their ability to survive as they loose their natural instinct to seek their own food.
• Remember that picking up flowers or plants in the National Park is illegal.
• Above all, use COMMON SENSE!

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