‘Inadequate words to describe’ mountain wildflowers

Wildflower Reports – 1 April 2024

Little River Trail (B to Cucumber Gap Trail)

• Bishop Caps – Some – Close to being at peak bloom (some just starting to bloom).
• Brook Lettuce – Few – Just starting to bloom.
• Calendine Poppy – Some – Close to peak boom – about 2/10 of a mile up trail on right – stunning!
• Common Blue Violet – Some – Mostly at peak bloom.
• Dutchmen’s Breeches – (1)
• Frazer Sedge – Some – Slightly past peak bloom.
• Halberd Leaf Violet – Many – Mostly at peak bloom.
• Hepatica – Some – At peak bloom.
• Large Flowered Bellwort – At one spot 4 or 5 plants that are just starting to bloom – colorful.
• Large Flowered Trillium – Many – In the early blooming stage mostly starting one mile up the trail embankments full.
• Rue Anemone – Many – At peak bloom. Beautiful.
• Spring Beauty – Some – Most of blooms not open.
• Squaw Root – Few – Just starting to show.
• Squirrel Corn – (1)
• Star Chickweed – Few – Close to peak bloom.
• Sweet White Trillium – Many – Close to peak bloom.
• Sweet White Violet – Some – Mostly at peak bloom.
• Toothwort – Few – Appear to be past peak bloom.
• Trillium Erect – Many – Should be at full bloom soon – Most starting 1 mile up the trail.
• Trout Lily – Some – Some at peak bloom – others past peak bloom.
• White Fringed Phacelia – Few – Almost at peak bloom – about a mile up trail on the right in one small patch.
• Wild Geranium – (1) – Just starting to bloom.
• Wild Ginger – Few – Appear to be just starting to bloom.
• Wood Anemone – Few – At peak bloom.
• Yellow Trillium – Many – About a third at peak bloom – others budded.
• Yellow Woodland Violet – Many – At peak bloom.

Erect White Trillium

Cucumber Gap Trail (beginning to end)

• Bishop Caps – Some – Soon will be at peak bloom.
• Blue Cohosh – 1 bloom – many budded.
• Common Blue Violet – Some – Mostly at peak bloom.
• Foam Flower – (1) – Almost at peak bloom.
• Frazer Sedge – Many + – Most past peak bloom but some at peak bloom.
• Halberd Leaf Violet – Many ++ – At peak bloom.
• Hepatica – Many + – Mostly at peak bloom – White, lavender and dark purple blooms – a sight to see.
• Large Flowered Trillium – Many – At peak bloom.
• Long Spurred Violet – Some – Mostly at peak bloom.
• Rue Anemone – Many ++ – At peak bloom – Inadequate words to describe how beautiful they are.
• Seersucker Sedge – Few – Past peak bloom – just before junction with Little River Trail.
• Solomon’s Seal – Few – Just starting to bloom.
• Spring Beauty – Many ++ – At peak bloom – best display I have seen in recent years.
• Star Chickweed – Few – At peak bloom.
• Sweet White Trillium – Many – At peak bloom.
• Sweet White Violet – Some – At peak bloom.
• Toothwort – Few – Appear slightly past peak bloom.
• Trillium Erect – Many – Some at peak bloom – many budded.
• Trout Lily – Many ++ – Most at peak bloom – few past peak bloom – tremendous display.
• Wild Phlox – Few – Just starting to bloom – Last half mile before Jakes Creek junction.
• Wood Anemone – Many ++ – Most at peak bloom – a real treat to observe.
• Yellow Mandarin – Few – Just starting to bloom – Last half mile before Jakes Creek junction.
• Yellow Trillium – Some – Few at peak bloom.
• Yellow Woodland Violet – Some – At peak bloom.

Common Blue Violet

Jakes Creek Trail (B to Cucumber Gap Trail)

• Common Blue Violet – Some – At peak bloom.
• Common Cinquefoil – Few – At peak bloom – About 2/10 of a mile up trail on right.
• Frazer Sedge – Many – Past peak bloom.
• Golden Ragwort – Few – Just starting to bloom.
• Halberd Leaf Violet – Few – At peak bloom.
• Long Spurred Violet – Some – At peak bloom.
• Rue Anemone – Some – At peak bloom.
• Sweet White Violet – Some – At peak bloom.
• Trout Lily – Few – At peak bloom.
• Wild Phlox – Few – Just starting to bloom.
• Wood Anemone – Some – At peak bloom.

Special Notes

Camera died – new batteries did not help so photos shown are from collection.

For a true treat, the display of flowers about halfway up the Cucumber Gap trail where the trail levels off is beyond description. Hillsides are covered with White Trillium (several kinds), Rue Anemone, Wood Anemone, Spring Beauties and a good number of Trout Lilies. Well worth the effort to take in this display.

Tom Harrington is a regular hiker who reports on wildflowers in the Smokies.