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Looking for Wildflowers for a specific state? Check here:
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| Genus Name |
Scientific Name |
Common name | Comment | |
| Adam and Eve | Aplectrum hyemale*
(Native) | Puttyroot, Adam and Eve | This orchid is easy to miss due to its small flowers which may blend into the background, and the fact that its leaves have withered by the time it blooms.
Connecticut: Special Concern
Massachusetts: Endangered
New Jersey: Endangered
New York: Endangered
Pennsylvania: Rare
Vermont: Threatened
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| Aster | Symphyotrichum pilosum*
(Native) | Hairy White Oldfield Aster, Frost Aster, White Heath Aster | A different species of Symphyotrichum, S. ericoides, has the national name of White Heath Aster, but this species is also referred to by that common name in some places. Many species formerly classified in the Aster genus have been reclassified into Symphyotrichum and other genera within the Asteraceae family. This one was previously classified as Aster pilosus. Many of these small white aster species are difficult to tell apart (I'm not absolutely certain on this one.) The primary differentiator for S. pilosum one is the hairy stem, which is referenced by the species name pilosum, from the Latin word for hair - pilus. | 
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| Azalea | Rhododendron calendulaceum
(Native) | Flame Azalea | Polk County, TN | 
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| Azalea | Rhododendron canescens
(Native) | Florida Pinxter | Grundy County TN 04/26 | 
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| Azalea | Rhododendron periclymenoides*
(Native) | Pink Azalea; Pinxter Flower | Grundy County TN 04/26 | 
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| Balsamroot | Balsamorhiza sagittata*
(Native) | Arrowleaf Balsamroot | There are 14 species of Balsamroot found in the United States, all of them in the west. This one, Arrowleaf Balsamroot, is characterized and named by the elongated arrowhead shape of the leaf. While it is in bloom it can turn large patches of the dry montane landscapes yellow with its dominant presence. | 
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| Baneberry | Actaea pachypoda*
(Native) | White Baneberry | aka Doll's Eyes. Poisonous, especially the berries. The Pocket at Pigeon Mountain, Walker County, GA 04/04/2009 | 
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| Barberry | Xanthorhiza simplicissima*
(Native) | Shrub Yellowroot | Shrub yellowroot gets its name from the yellow interior of the roots and stem. The root contains berberine, from which it gets its yellow color, and probably is what has led to its use in traditional medicines. | 
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| Barberry | Mahonia repens*
(Native) | Creeping Oregon Grape, Creeping Barberry | The Berberis genus at one time contained all the barberries, but relatively recently those with pinnate leaves have been reclassified into the Mahonia genus. Further, many of what were previously classified as separate species have been consolidated, leaving what had been over 20 species and varieties of Berberis as 13 species or subspecies in the Mahonia genus in the United States.
This species, Mahonia repens is listed as Endangered in California under the synonym Mahonia sonnei. It is found in 19 states, most of them in the west, although there are populations in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. These eastern populations might have been established from seeds brought back from the west. Seeds were brought east as early as the Lewis and Clark expeditions in the early 19th century. | 
|
| Beardtongue | Penstemon canescens
(Native) | Eastern Gray Beardtongue | Woodland perennial to 30 inches tall with pale purple to and white blossoms, with purple lines in the interior. | 
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| Beardtongue | Penstemon payettensis
(Native) | Payette Beardtongue, Payette Penstemon | One of the more showy and beautiful Penstemon species, Payette Beardtongue is found only in Idaho, Montana, and Oregon. Unlike some Beardtongues, in P. payettensis the flowers circle the stem, which grows up to 2 feet tall, rather than forming on only one side of the stem. | 
|
| Beardtongue | Penstemon deustus*
(Native) | Hot-rock Penstemon, Scabland penstemon, Hot-rock Beardtongue | A plant found in 7 of our western states (CA, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY,) Hot-rock Penstemon is usually found in middle elevations in rocky soil, growing up to 2 feet tall. It is among the 249 species of Penstemon found in the United States. | 
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| Beeblossom | Gaura filipes*
(Native) | Slenderstalk Beeblossom, Slender Gaura | This tall plant is found throughout much of the southeast and into parts of the midwest. | 
|
| Beggarticks | Bidens aristosa*
(Native) | Bearded Beggarticks, Tickseed Sunflower, Bur Marigold | Beautiful multi-branched, multi-blossomed flower seen in late summer along roads and fields. The specimens presented here probably would have been classified as B. polylepis prior to a 1977 Arkansas study which determined the primary differentiator between the two "species" - the number of calyx lobes - was a factor of the size of the plant within a colony, with the larger plants having B. polylepis characteristics and the shorter plants having B. aristosa characteristics. Since B. aristosa was an older classification, most authorities have merged B. polylepis into B. aristosa. | 
|
| Bellflower | Campanula divaricata*
(Native) | Southern Harebell, Small Bonny Bellflower, Southern Bellflower, Southern Bluebell | Southern Harebell is a many-branched, somewhat weak-stemmed plant with many attractive, dangling, small, bell-shaped blue flowers. Primarily a species of the southeast, it is endangered or extirpated in Maryland. | 
|
| Bellflower | Campanulastrum americanum*
(Native) | Tall Bellflower, American Bellflower | This species is perhaps more widely known as Campanula americana which would place it in the genus containing Southern Harebell (C. Divaricata) and Bluebell Bellflower (Campanula rotundifolia.) However, the Campanula species have distinctly bell-shaped flowers, which is not the case with Campanulastrum americanum, which has relatively flat flowers. That would have been one of the characteristics that resulted in creation of a new genus for American (aka Tall) Bellflower - Campanulastrum which has this single species in it.
The plant is found in most of the eastern half of the United States except for the New England states, New Jersey, and Delaware. | 
|
| Bellwort | Uvularia grandiflora*
(Native) | Large-flowered Bellwort | This member of the lily family is one of the mid-spring wildflowers. It has lovely yellow flowers and attractive foliage. It is found throughout much of the eastern half of the United States, but is listed as an endangered species in Connecticut and New Hampshire. | 
|
| Bellwort | Uvularia perfoliata*
(Native) | Perfoliate Bellwort, Merry Bells | Perfoliate Bellwort is one of two perfoliate - leaf-piercing stems - bellworts. The other is Large-flowered Bellwort, Uvularia grandiflora. Perfoliate Bellwort is a smaller plant, usually with smaller leaves and blossoms, in addition to usually being somewhat lower-growing. | 
|
| Bellwort | Uvularia sessilifolia
(Native) | Sessileleaf Bellwort, Wild Oats | Early- to mid-spring smooth-stemmed wildflower of deciduous woodlands. | 
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| Bergamot, Beebalm | Monarda fistulosa*
(Native) | Wild Bergamot | The Bergamots are also kjnown as Bee Balm. This species is lavender with a hairy upper lip on the blossom. | 
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| Bergamot, Beebalm | Monarda clinopodia*
(Native) | White Bergamot, Basil Bee Balm | White Bergamot can usually be found in many-flowered clusters of plants 18-36 inches tall in showy displays starting in late spring or early summer. Many authorities apply the name Basil Beebalm to M. clinopodia, but both the USDA Plants Database and ITIS database apply Basil Beebalm only to a separate species, M. clinopodioides, and only the name White Beebalm to M. clinopodia. The ranges of M. clinopodioides and M. clinopodia are contiguous, but do not overlap, according to the USDA Plants Database. | 
|
| Bittercress | Cardamine concatenata*
(Native) | Cutleaf Toothwort | syn. Cardamine laciniata, Dentaria laciniata, Dentaria concatenata
Cutleaf Toothwort is one of the early spring wildflowers, blooming March through May. | 
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| Bittercress | Cardamine dissecta*
(Native) | Forkleaf Toothwort, Thread Leafed Toothwort, Fineleaf Toothwort | Forkleaf Toothwort gets the Forkleaf name because its leaves divide - fork - many times into narrow, untoothed segments. The narrow leaves give it the other common names listed. According to the Wildflower Center, the toothwort common name refers to the tooth-like projections on the underground stems. | 
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| Bittercress | Cardamine angustata
(Native) | Slender Toothwort | Toothworts have previously been classified in the Dentaria genus, but recently, presumably based on DNA testing, have been moved en masse into the Cardamine – bittercress – genus. Many publications still list the plants in Dentaria.
C. agustata - Slender Toothwort – has long-stemmed basal leaves which are broader and more ovate than their single pair of opposing, 3-part stem leaves. The basal leaves are veined (but not as prominently as in C. diphylla) and are toothed. The stem leaves of C. angustata may be toothed or entire. Heterophylla, the species epithet used when this plant was classified in Dentaria, means "different leaves" – either referring to the difference between the stem and basal leaves, or with differences in the appearance of particularly the stem leaves on different plants within the species.
The plant is typically 8 to 16 inches tall. Toothworts grow from a rhizome. One differentiator between C. diphylla and C. angustata is that the rhizome of C. angustata has constrictions forming multiple segments, while the rhizome of C. diphylla is of uniform size. I do not encourage digging up native plants; populations have been lost by that activity. | 
|
| Bitterweed | Helenium amarum*
(Native) | Bitterweed, Yellowdicks | Common weed found in meadows, along roadsides, and other disturbed areas. If cows eat them their milk will have a bitter taste. This plant is a native of the United States. | 
|
| Blackberry | Rubus argutus
(Native) | Blackberry | Southern Blackberry. Grundy County, TN 05/26/2008 | 
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| Blackberry | Rubus flagellaris*
(Native) | Northern Dewberry, Common Dewberry | Rubus flagellaris – Northern Dewberry – is plant with a trailing stem running along the ground for up to 15 feet. The stem has scattered hooked prickles, and is green when young, brown when older. The fruiting stems rise from the trailing stem, sometimes rising to 4 feet above the ground. The leaves are compound, usually trifoliate, with the three leaflets having a serrated edge. | 
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| Bladdernut | Staphylea trifolia*
(Native) | American Bladdernut | Walker County, Ga 04/19/2008. The seed capsule is an enlarged green papery-shelled 'bladder', giving it the 'bladdernut' common name. | 
|
| Bloodroot | Sanguinaria canadensis*
(Native) | Bloodroot | Sanguinaria canadensis is a beautiful white early spring wildflower. Bloodroot gets its name from the red juice of the root, caused by the compound sanguinarine. While sanguinarine has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal characteristics, it can be toxic, so do not ingest it. | 
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| Blue-eyed Grass | Sisyrinchium angustifolium
(Native) | Blue-eyed Grass | Grundy County, TN, 05/25/2008 | 
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| Bluebead | Clintonia borealis
(Native) | Blue-bead lily | AKA yellow corn lily, yellow Clintonia. Clingman's Dome, Smoky Mountains | 
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| Bluebells | Mertensia virginica*
(Native) | Virginia Bluebells | Virginia Bluebell is a showy, early spring wildflower found through most of the eastern United States. | 
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| Bluets | Houstonia caerulea
(Native) | Quaker Ladies, Azure Bluet, Bluets | Small plant with mostly basal leaves; stem leaves are opposite and quite small. Can form large colonies. | 
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| Bluets | Houstonia pusilla
(Native) | Tiny Bluet, Small Bluet, Least Bluet | These tiny plants can be easy to miss when blooming single, but even with their 2 to 4 inch height, they're hard to miss with the frequent masses blooming together. | 
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| Bowman's Root | Porteranthus trifoliatus
(Native) | Bowman's Root | aka Indian Physic. Grundy County, TN 5/25/2008. Synonym of Gillenia trifoliatus | 
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| Buttercup | Ranunculus bulbosus
(Introduced) | Bulbous Buttercup | Walker County, Ga 04/06/2009 | 
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| California Poppy | Eschscholzia californica*
(Native) | California Poppy | In spite of the beauty of its blossom, the California Poppy is considered to be a weed by many people. Native to North America, scattered wild populations of this plant are found in most states. However, since it was first collected on a Russian exploratory voyage to the west coast of North America in the early 19th century, it is likely that most of the eastern populations are the result of seeds and plants brought back from the west, rather than from native populations in those areas.
The California Poppy is the state flower of California. | 
|
| Camas | Camassia scilloides*
(Native) | Wild Hyacinth; Atlantic Camas | Wild Hyacinth, also known as Atlantic Camas and Eastern Camas. Atlantic Camas is the "official" national name, according to the USDA Plants Database. It grows in rich, shady, moist coves. The blooming period lasts for several weeks in April and May.
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| Cat's Ear | Hypochaeris radicata
(Introduced) | Hairy Cat's Ear, False Dandelion | Yellow aster with blooms at the end of smooth stem, rising from a floret of hairy dandelion-like basal leaves. Other common names are common cat's-ear, false dandelion, frogbit, gosmore, and spotted catsear.
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| Catchfly | Silene virginica
(Native) | Fire Pink, Scarlet Catchfly | Fire Pink has a strikingly beautiful scarlet red springtime blossom. | 
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| Catchfly | Silene rotundifolia
(Native) | Roundleaf Catchfly | I originally identified this as Silene virginica - Fire Pink, but S. virginica has narrower petals, and doesn't have the pronounced 'second spike' along the outer edge of the petal. The USDA Plants Database doesn't have this listed near Polk County, TN, where I photographed this specimen, and I don't have photographs of the rest of the plant, but I have a reasonably high level of confidence in that identificaiton. | 
|
| Chicory | Cichorium intybus
(Introduced) | Chicory | Roadside, McMinn County, TN. Also seen in Hamilton, Bradley, Sequatchie Counties. 06/13/2009 | 
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| Cinquefoil | Potentilla canadensis
(Native) | Dwarf Cinquefoil | Dwarf Cinquefoil | 
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| Cinquefoil | Potentilla recta*
(Introduced) | Sulfur Cinquefoil, Roughfruit Cinquefoil | Sulfur Cinquefoil is an upright perennial with hairy stems to nearly 3 feet tall, found frequently along roadsides throughout most of the United States. This non-native was introduced from Europe, and is so invasive that despite its beauty is considered an obnoxious weed in Colorado, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Sulfur Cinquefoil is also known as Roughfruit Cinquefoil. | 
|
| Clarkia | Clarkia pulchella*
(Native) | Pinkfairies, Ragged Robin, Deerhorn Clarkia, Beautiful Clarkia | The Clarkia genus contains 41 species. While most of the species are found only in California, Clarkia pulchella was found by Meriweather Lewis in what is now Idaho in 1806, and was first described by William Clark in May of that year. It was the first species described in the genus, which was later named for William Clark. It is found in 6 northwestern states and has disjunct populations in 4 eastern states. While the USDA Plants Database shows Pinkfairies as native to these eastern states (OH, MA, CT, VT), these are likely instead a result of plants brought back from the west, since it would have been known prior to 1806 if it was native to those eastern states.
My initial identification of this species was using the excellent book Idaho Mountain Wildflowers by Scott Earle . | 
|
| Clematis | Clematis terniflora*
(Introduced) | Sweet Autumn Clematis | Sweet Autumn Clematis is a non-native climbing vine with sweet-smelling white blossoms. Sweet Autumn Virginsbower is the USDA "national common name." Also known as yam-leaved clematis. | 
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| Clover | Trifolium repens
(Introduced) | White Clover | Walker County, Ga 05/11/2009 | 
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| Clover | Trifolium pratense
(Introduced) | Red Clover | Walker County, Ga 05/10/2009 | 
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| Cohosh | Caulophyllum thalictroides*
(Native) | Blue Cohosh | Possible toxicity, especially to pregnant women. | 
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| Columbine | Aquilegia canadensis*
(Native) | Eastern Red Columbine, Wild Columbine | This is the only native columbine in the eastern United States. | 
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| Coneflower | Rudbeckia hirta*
(Native) | Black-eyed Susan | Black-eyed Susan is a commonly seen but uncommonly beautiful wildflower found along roadsides and open areas throughout much of the United States, missing only in Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, and Nevada. | 
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| Coneflower | Rudbeckia fulgida*
(Native) | Orange Coneflower | This species, like many members of the 22-species Rudbeckia genus, are frequently called 'black-eyed Susan' because of their nearly identical appearance to R. hirta, the 'true' black-eyed Susan. Orange coneflower, Rudbeckia fulgida, itself is a highly variable species, with as many as 14 varieties. I believe this is R. fulgida var fulgida, due to the shorter, wider ray petals, the minimal hair on the stems, and the distinct winged petioles of the alternating leaves. | 
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| Crownbeard | Verbesina occidentalis*
(Native) | Yellow Crownbeard | Most of the Crownbeards have yellow blossoms, and bloom in mid to late summer. Verbesina occidentalis, like a couple of other Verbesina species - V. alternifolia and V. helianthoides - has a winged stem caused by the continuation of the petioles down along the stem. Yellow Crownbeard is a tall plant, from 3 feet to 10 feet tall. | 
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| Cynoglossum - hound's tongue | Cynoglossum virginianum
(Native) | Wild Comfrey | Woodland wildflower of late spring. There are eight species in the Cynoglossum genus found in the US, three of which are native to North America - C. grande (CA, OR, WA), C. occidentale (CA, OR), and this species, C. virginianum, with one of the two varieties of the species found in most of the eastern half of the U.S. - 34 states.
Wild Comfrey is at risk in 9 states:
- Connecticut: Special Concern
- Florida: Endangered
- Maine: Endangered
- New Hampshire: Endangered
- New Jersey: Endangered
- New York: Endangered
- Ohio: Presumed Extirpated
- Pennsylvania: extirpated
- Vermont: Threatened
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| Cynoglossum - hound's tongue | Cynoglossum officinale*
(Introduced) | Houndstongue, Hound's Tongue, Gypsyflower | c.Found in all but 7 states (and most of Canada), Cynoglossum officinale is listed as a noxious weed in Colorado, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. | 
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| Daisy | Chrysanthemum leucanthemum
(Introduced) | Oxeye Daisy | Walker County, Ga 04/25/2009. Chrysanthemum leucanthemum is a synonym for Leucanthemum vulgare. | 
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| Dandelion | Taraxacum officinal
(Introduced) | Dandelion | Dandelion - A variety of Taraxacum officinale (ceratophorum) is native to western parts of the United States, the the variety found in the east (officinale), which is also found in the west, is introduced. | 
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| Deadnettle | Lamium amplexicaule
(Introduced) | Henbit, Henbit Deadnettle | The deadnettles are native to Europe and Asia, but are now widely naturalized in the United States. As with many non-native species which have become widespread in the U.S. Henbit Deadnettle blooms early. It is easily confused with Purple Deadnettle - L. purpureum - which has petioled leaves all the way to the top leaves. The middle and upper leaves of L. amplexicaule do not have petioles. The leaves of Henbit (L. amplexicaule) are also typically smaller than those of Purple Deadnettle. | 
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| Deadnettle | Lamium purpureum*
(Introduced) | Purple Deadnettle, Red Deadnettle, Purple Archangel | The deadnettles are native to Europe and Asia, but are now widely naturalized in the United States. As with many non-native species which have become widespread in the U.S. Purple Deadnettle blooms early. A similar species is Henbit - L. amplexicaule - The middle and upper leaves of L. amplexicaule do not have petioles while those of L. purpureum have petioles on all leaves, although the upper ones are quite small. The leaves of Henbit (L. amplexicaule) are also typically smaller than those of Purple Deadnettle. | 
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| Dodder | Cuscuta gronovii
(Native) | Dodder Vine, Scaldweed | Towns County, Ga. Sep 2003. A parasitic vine that inserts suckers into the stem of its host plants. As the vine matures, its roots die and it gets all of its nourishment from the host. | 
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| Dogwood | Cornus florida*
(Native) | Flowering Dogwood | Flowering dogwood, Cornus florida, the dogwood usually referenced simply as dogwood, is a small tree, growing up to 30 feet tall, although it is more typically 15 feet tall, and frequently as wide as it is tall. It brings an early splash of white to the undercover of the spring forest for several weeks in April or May.
Synonym Benthamidia florida. This is apparently a recent DNA-based reclassification from the genus Cornus. I have yet to determine how widely-accepted this classification has become; USDA Plants Database does not list it. | 
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| Dutchman's Breeches | Dicentra cucullaria*
(Native) | Dutchman's Breeches | Dutchman's Breeches is a lovely spring wildflower. The blossoms don't last long. | 
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| Dwarf Dandelion | Krigia biflora
(Native) | Two-flower Cynthia, Twoflower Dwarfdandelion | aka twoflower dwarfdandelion. Grundy County, TN, 05/25/2008 | 
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| Elephant's Foot | Elephantopus carolinianus*
(Native) | Carolina Elephant’s foot, Elephant’s Foot | This plant’s alternating leaves arise along an unevenly pubescent stem. The plant branches at leaf axils usually after four non-branching leaf nodes. The blossom clusters, which arise from three leafy bracts, terminate the stems. The white to pale lavender blossoms are very interesting in that they usually give the appearance of having a circle of many rays, but these apparently lobes of the corolla of several disk flowers.
E. carolinianus is listed as endangered in New Jersey and Pennsylvania (USDA.) | 
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| Evening Primrose | Oenothera speciosa
(Native) | Pink Ladies, Showy Evening Primrose, Pink Primrose | Walker County, Ga roadside, 05/13/2008 | 
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| Evening Primrose | Oenothera biennis*
(Native) | Common Evening Primrose | Common Evening Primrose is found in all but 7 states. From Carol in Virginia: "It booms just at dusk and you can actually see the petals move as it opens... All the grandchildren love to gather around a plant and guess which one will open next." | 
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| Fairybells | Disporum lanuginosum*
(Native) | Yellow Fairybells, Yellow Mandarin | Disporum lanuginosum is a synonym of Prosartes lanuginosa. The five species of the genus Disporum that are in North America have recently been reclassified into a separate genus - Prosartes - and moved into the Liliaceae family out of the Colchicaceae family. I continue to list this species as D. lanuginosum because most publications and websites I find still do so as well.
Yellow Fairybells is an attractive plant growing to 36" tall, with alternating, glossy green entire leaves which are ovate or lanceolate and have prominent parallel veins. | 
|
| False garlic | Nothoscordum bivalve*
(Native) | False Garlic, Crowpoison | Nothoscordum bivalve is a member of the lily family. It does not have the oniony-smell of true garlics and onions. | 
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| Fawnlily | Erythronium americanum*
(Native) | Trout Lily; Dogtooth Violet | Trout lily is one of the early spring wildflowers. | 
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| Fawnlily | Erythronium grandiflorum
(Native) | Yellow Avalanche Lily, Glacier Lily | Yellow Avalanche Lily can be found in subalpine mountain meadows, slopes, and in clearings or thinly forested areas. According to Wikipedia, the roots are a preferred food of the grizzly bear. Of the 24 species of Erythronium found in the United States, Erythronium grandiflorum is the only one found in Idaho, according to the USDA Plants Database. It is a native of 9 western states (CA, CO, ID, MT, NM, OR, UT, WA, WY.) | 
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| Fern | Osmunda cinnamomea
(Native) | Cinnamon Fern | Cinnamon Fern | 
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| Fleabane | Erigeron annuus*
(Native) | Eastern daisy fleabane | There are 191 species in the Erigeron genus, with some species being found in only a single state. Eastern Daisy Fleabane is one of the more widespread species, found in all but 7 states. It is a native plant in both the continental United States and in Canada.
Erigeron anuus is generally 2 to 3 feet tall, branching with many white-rayed, yellow-centered blossoms. It blooms from mid- to late spring on through most of the summer months. It is differentiated from the earlier blooming Philadelphia Fleabane (E. philadelphicus) by narrower leaves which do not clasp the stem, and is differentiated from similar Prairie Fleabane (aka Lesser Daisy Fleabane - E. strigosus) by having stems which are distinctly hairy, and by usually having toothed leaves. | 
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| Fleabane | Erigeron philadelphicus
(Native) | Philadelphia Fleabane | Clasping leaves is key identifier for this early blooming fleabane. Walker County, Ga, 04/16/2009 | 
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| Fleabane | Erigeron strigosus*
(Native) | Prairie Fleabane, Lesser Daisy Fleabane | There are 191 species in the Erigeron genus, with some species being found in only a single state. Prairie Fleabane is one of the more widespread species, found in all but 6 states. It is a native plant in both the continental United States and in Canada.
Erigeron strigosus is generally 2 to 3 feet tall, branching with many white-rayed, yellow-centered blossoms. It blooms from mid- to late spring on through most of the summer months. It is differentiated from the earlier blooming Philadelphia Fleabane (E. Philadelphicus) by narrower leaves which do not clasp the stem. It is differentiated from similar Eastern Daisy Fleabane (E. Annuus) by being less hairy, and rarely having toothed leaves. It is also less leafy than Eastern Daisy Fleabane. | 
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| Foamflower | Tiarella cordifolia *
(Native) | Heartleaf Foamflower | Heartleaf Foamflower has several lobed basal leaves rising on tall stalks. The separate flower stems may rise from last years leaves before the new leaves show up, but the new leaves will show up before blooming. | 
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| Fritillaria | Fritillaria pudica*
(Native) | Yellowbells, Yellow Fritillary, Yellow Missionbells, Gold Bell | This is one of the 3 Fritillaria species found in Idaho out of the 23 total Fritillaria species found in the United States. All of thesea are found only in the western half of the US and Canada. It is a small plant, growing to usually less than a foot tall. | 
|
| fungi | Clavaria | Coral fungus | Maybe genus Clavaria, perhaps C. zollingeri. OK, this is a fungus, not a wildflower, but I like it so it's here. | 
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| Galax | Galax urceolata*
(Native) | Beetleweed; Galax | Polk County, TN | 
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| Gentian | Gentiana saponaria
(Native) | Soapwort Gentian, Harvestbells | Fannin County GA Nov 10 2008 just outside Cohutta Wilderness. G saponaria has paler flowers than G. clausa, and these had pretty deep blue flowers, but USDA database doesn't show G. clausa this far south, and the leaves of G. clausa seem to be generally wider than these. This is also similar to G. linearis, but USDA database also does not show this in Georgia. Both G. clausa and G. linearis are close enough that they are possibles. | 
|
| Geranium | Geranium maculatum*
(Native) | Wild Geranium | All geraniums have a "multiples of 5" consistency - 5 petals, 5 sepals, 10 stamens, and a 5-part pistil. G. maculatum is widely-distributed in the eastern United States. | 
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| Geranium | Geranium viscosissimum*
(Native) | Sticky Purple Geranium | Geranium viscosissimum has pink petals with deep red or purple veins. | 
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| Goat's beard | Astilbe biternata
(Native) | Appalachian false goat's beard | Appalachian false goat's beard Polk County, TN | 
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| Goldenbanner | Thermopsis fraxinifolia
(Native) | Ashleaf Goldenbanner | Ashleaf Goldenbanner, Polk County, TN May 30, 2004 | 
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| Goldenrod | Solidago flexicaulis*
(Native) | Zigzag Goldenrod, Broadleaf Goldenrod | One of the woodland goldenrods. ‘Zigzag’ common name, and probably the species name ‘flexicaulis’ come from the slight change in direction the stem takes at many of the leaf nodes, especially the upper ones.
Solidago flexicaulis is listed as Threatened in Rhode Island. | 
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| Goldenrod | Solidago altissima*
(Native) | Tall Goldenrod, Late Goldenrod, Canada Goldenrod | Goldenrods are notoriously difficult to identify to a particular species, so make sure you don't rely on a single source for your identification information. This could easily have been listed as Solidago canadensis rather than Solidago altissima because not only is it a fairly close match for either, but S. altissima is listed as a variety of S. canadensis by some authorities. However, the USDA Plants Database lists S. altissima as a separate species, and the University of Tennessee Fungus Herbarium has a reference to a fungus found on S. altissima in Cade’s Cove in 1939. The Audubon eastern wildflowers book also treats it as a separate species, and lists it as blooming into November. Since the UT Herbarium only lists var glabra in S. canadensis in Tennessee (including Sevier County, where these specimens were photographed), and I have chosen to treat it as a separate species, I have listed this as S. altissima. More details on the identifying characteristics along with the accompanying photographs. | 
|
| Goldenseal | Hydrastis canadensis*
(Native) | Goldenseal, orangeroot | Goldenseal has much medicinal usage, and due to the commercial exploitation is becoming rarer. It is listed as Endangered, Threatened, or of Special Concern in 12 of the 27 states in which it is found. | 
|
| Ground Cedar, fan clubmoss
| Diphasiastrum digitatum
(Native) | Southern Ground Cedar | aka Running Ground Cedar Len Foote Hike Inn Trail, Dawson County GA 09/01/2003. Lycopod rather than a flowering seed plant. Reproduces via spores from the club-like appendages above the plant. Diphasiastrum digitatum is a synonym for Lycopodium digitatum. | 
|
| Heath | Leiophyllum buxifolium
(Native) | Mountain Myrtle, Sand Myrtle | Tiny blossoms atop branches with tiny succulent leaves | 
|
| Hedge Parsley | Torilis arvensis*
(Introduced) | Spreading Hedge Parsley, Field Hedge Parsley, Common Hedge Parsley | Torilis arvensis, which has the USDA national common name of Spreading Hedge Parsley, is also known as Field Hedge Parsley and as Common Hedge Parsley. It is introduced in the United States, native only to British Columbia in North America. Even though it has spread widely in the United States due to the sticky bur seeds, it apparently does not crowd out native species too agressively, because it is listed as an obnoxious weed in only one state - Washington, which is, of course, right across the border from BC, where it is native.
Torilis japonica is a very similar species, and is in fact listed as a synonym of T. arvensis at the Department of Biological Sciences at Vanderbilt University. However, the USDA lists it as a separate species, as does Dr. John Hilty over at IllinoisWildflowers.com. According to Dr. Hilty, the primary difference between the plants is that T. japonica has about 8 linear bracts at the base of each compound umbel. This feature is missing in T. arvensis. | 
|
| Hepatica | Hepatica nobilis*
(Native) | Sharp-lobed Hepatica | Anemone acutiloba is one of several synonyms for Hepatica nobilis var acuta, sharp-lobed hepatica. Round-lobed hepatic was previously categorized as Anemone hepatica, but has now been reclassified as a variety of H. nobilis - Hepatica nobilis var obtusa. All this is according to the USDA Plants Database. I bet other authorities will give you a different classification; there are at least 8 synonyms for the two varieties of H. nobilis.
Sharp-Lobed Hepatic is listed as "Threatened" in Connecticut, "Endangered" in Florida, and of "Special Concern" in Rhode Island. According to USDA, it is "Possibly Extirpated" in Maine. | 
|
| Hogpeanut | Amphicarpaea bracteata
(Native) | American Hogpeanut | This thin-stemmed twisting vine is the only species in the Amphicarpaea genus, a member of the Pea family. It twists around other plants and on fences, reaching up to 6 feet in length. | 
|
| Honeysuckle | Lonicera sempervirens*
(Native) | Trumpet Honeysuckle | Grundy County, TN, 05/25/2008 | 
|
| Honeysuckle | Lonicera japonica
(Introduced) | Japanese Honeysuckle | Non-native, imported from Asia as an ornamental, this lovely, fragrant vine is well-established in 38 states, and is listed as a noxious weed in two, plus is banned from cultivation in New Hampshire. | 
|
| Honeysuckle | Lonicera fragrantissima*
(Introduced) | Sweet Breath of Spring; Fragrant Honeysuckle, January Jasmine | This non-native is one of the bush honeysuckles. Most of the native honeysuckles are vines; this one is a bush with arching stems to 10 feet tall.
This is a very early-blooming plant, sometimes as early as January in the warmer parts of its range. In some areas it is given the common name January Jasmine, which is the same name as is given to Jasminum nudiflorum. The latter is in the olive family rather than the honeysuckle family. Both plants bloom at about the same time, and L. fragrantissima blossoms fade to yellow as they age, which may lead to some confusion between the species. However, L. fragrantissima has a very distinct, pleasant fragrance, and Jasminum nudiflorum has none.
According to TexasInvasives.org, L. fragrantissima was introduced from Asia in the 1700s and 1800s. Since it is currently listed in only 13 states, it does not appear to be as dramatically invasive as its cousin, Lonicera japonica – Japanese honeysuckle – which is in 39 states. However, my observation of the plant is in a county in Tennessee (Hamilton) that is not included in the official distributions lists, so it is likely that it is more widespread than much documentation implies. L fragrantissima is an eastern species in the US, being found west of the Mississippi only in Utah and Louisiana. | 
|
| Hydrangea | Hydrangea arborescens*
(Native) | Wild Hydrangea | Wild Hyndrangea is listed as endangered in both Florida and New York.
| 
|
| Indian Cucumber Root | Medeola virginiana*
(Native) | Indian Cucumber Root | Indian Cucumber Root, Big Frog Trail, Polk County TN 05/09/2009 and 05/30/2004 | 
|
| Indian Pink | Spigelia marilandica
(Native) | Indian Pink; Pinkroot | Big Frog Trail 05/30/2004 Polk County, TN | 
|
| Indian Pipe | Monotropa uniflora
(Native) | Indian Pipe | Indian Pipe near Little Greenbrier School, GSMNP; June 19, 2005 | 
|
| Indian Plantain | Arnoglossum reniforme*
(Native) | Great Indian Plantain | Great Indian Plantain is 3 to 9 feet tall, with basal and stem leaves which are palmately lobed. The leaves can be huge. The blossoms have white disk flowers only, with 10 to 20 blossoms per terminal cluster. The involucre bracts are greenish white.
The only Indian Plantain in the area where these photos were taken with palmately lobed leaves are A. atriplicifolium and A. reniforme. The identification as A. reniforme is based on the distinct ribbing on the stems, which is 'slight' on A. atriplicifolium, and the fact that the stems in this specimen are not glaucous. The leaves also are a darker green than in Pale Indian Plantain. Unfortunately I did not photograph the underside of the leaves, nor did I make notes as to whether they were glaucous or not, as they are in A. atriplicifolium, and are not glaucous in A. reniforme. | 
|
| Indian Strawberry | Duchesnea indica*
(Introduced) | Indian Strawberry, India Mockstrawberry | Indian Strawberry is a prone, creeping plant which produces roots at the leaf nodes. It produces red strawberry-like fruits, but they are tasteless (but also harmless.) Because of the fruit, it could be confused with wild strawberry, but that plant has white blossoms. It is also similar to Dwarf Cinquefoil, which has 5 leaflets instead of the 3 leaflets of Indian Strawberry. Duchesnea indica was introduced from India. The relationship to cinquefoil (both in the rose family) is emphasized by an effort to have it reclassified as Potentilla indica, based on a genetic study published in 2002. So far it appears that most authoritative sources have retained (or rejected) the reclassification. | 
|
| Iris | Iris cristata*
(Native) | Crested Dwarf Iris | | 
|
| Iris | Iris verna*
(Native) | Dwarf Violet Iris, Vernal Iris, Spring Iris | Vernal Iris (USDA common name is Dwarf Violet Iris) leaves are up to about 4 to 5 inches tall, with the large, colorful blossom being predominant above the leaves during the blooming season – mid to late spring.
Iris verna is listed as endangered in Maryland and Pennsylvania, and threatened in Ohio. | 
|
| Jack-in-the-Pulpit | Arisaema triphyllum*
(Native) | Jack-in-the-Pulpit | Jack-in-the-Pulpit usually has a single leaf with 3 leaflets on a stem from 12 to 36 inches tall, usually less than 2 feet. The tiny flowers are on a spike (spadix) which is encircled by a leaf-like spathe on a separate stem from the leaf. These stems separate at or near ground level. The spathe is green or purple and is usually striped. | 
|
| Jack-in-the-Pulpit | Arisaema triphyllum ssp. quinatum*
(Native) | Prester John, Jack-in-the-Pulpit | In my VERY limited observation there are notable differences between this plant, Arisaema triphyllum ssp. quinatum, and Arisaema triphyllum ssp. triphyllum and other subspecies of
Arisaema. The most easily noticed difference is that ssp. quinatum has the
appearance of having 5 leaflets while all the other subspecies clearly have three.
The few individuals I have observed also implies that quinatum blooms later, the spathe is smaller relative to the flowering stalk height, and the spadix is thinner than in subspecies triphyllum. Subspecies quinatum is also found much less frequently than subspecies triphyllum, as well as having a much narrower distribution in North America, limited to several southeastern states.
synonym: Arisaema quinatum | 
|
| Knotweed | Polygonum amphibium*
(Native) | Water Knotweed, Swamp Smartweed, Water Smartweed | Aquatic and terrestrial varieties; the aquatic variety is more widespread than the terrestrial variety than the terrestrial variety, with the terrestrial variety not generally being found in the Southeast. Leaves are alternate and lanceolate. | 
|
| Ladyslipper | Cypripedium acaule*
(Native) | Pink Ladyslipper, Moccasin Flower
| This member of the orchid family has a solitary blossom on a stem arising from two or sometimes three elliptical glossy, dark green, ribbed basal leaves. | 
|
| Larkspur | Delphinium tricorne*
(Native) | Dwarf Larkspur, Spring Larkspur | Delphinium tricorne is a woodland wildflower of mid to late spring. The plant will usually be 18 to 30 inches tall, unlike some of its cousins which might be up to six feet tall. The spurred blossoms are blue, white, or both blue and white.
All of the larkspurs are poisonous. | 
|
| Laurel | Kalmia latifolia
(Native) | Mountain Laurel | Mountain Laurel Big Frog Trail Polk County TN 05/31/2004 | 
|
| Leafcup | Polymnia canadensis
(Native) | Whiteflower Leafcup | aka Smallflower Leafcup. The Pocket at Pigeon Mountain, Walker County, GA 06/06/2009 | 
|
| Leafcup | Smallanthus uvedalius*
(Native) | Hairy Leafcup, Bear's Foot, Yellow Leafcup, Uvedalia | Tall leafy plant with VERY large leaves and yellow flowers with typical aster family structure - ray flowers and disk flowers. Leaves are opposing. The occasional branches seem to arise from the leaf axils.
Synonym: Polymnia uvedalia, which seems to be in more common use than what is now the new classification, Smallanthus uvedalius. This is the only species in the the Smallanthus genus listed in the USDA Plants Database, although the Missouri Botanical Gardens TROPICOS database list 26 species in the genus. I suspect the other 25 species are not found in the United States.
Uvedalia has been used for medicinal purposes, including treatment of rheumatism and hair loss.
The species is listed as Endangered in New York and New Jersey, and as Threatened in Michigan, where it has legal protection. | 
|
| Leather Flower | Clematis viorna*
(Native) | Leather Vasevine, Leather Flower, Vasevine | Clematis viorna is a vine that is grows to around 20 feet long. Primarily a southeastern species, it is listed as endangered in Illinois and Pennsylvania. | 
|
| Lespedeza | Lespedeza cuneata
(Introduced) | Sericea Lespedeza | There are native lespedeza species in the United States, but L. cuneata is an introduced species. | 
|
| Lettuce | Lactuca canadensis*
(Native) | Wild Lettuce | Tall plant with milky sap and yellow flowers. Leaves usually lobed, but some varieties not lobed. Akin to garden lettuce, the young leaves are edible either in salads or cooked; slightly bitter. | 
|
| Lettuce | Lactuca floridana
(Native) | Woodland Lettuce, Florida blue lettuce | Branching plant with loose cluster of small blue flowers. Lower leaves lobed, alternate; upper leaves lanceolate, entire or toothed. | 
|
| Lily of the Valley | Convallaria majuscula*
(Native) | American Lily of the Valley | Lily of the Valley - American. Off Big Frog Trail on Chimneytop, Polk County TN 05/08/2004 | 
|
| Lobelia | Lobelia puberula
(Native) | Downy Lobelia | Downy Lobelia | 
|
| Lobelia | Lobelia cardinalis
(Native) | Cardinal Flower, Scarlet Lobelia | Cardinal Flower. Polk County Tennessee near Rough Creek, Big Frog Mountain. August 13, 2004 | 
|
| Lobelia | Lobelia inflata*
(Native) | Inflated Lobelia | aka Indian Tobacco. Small plant with tiny 1/4-inch flowers white to bluish flowers. While the common name Indian Tobacco implies that it was used for smoking, there are reports that the plant should be considered toxic. | 
|
| Lobelia | Lobelia siphilitica*
(Native) | Great Blue Lobelia | The species epithet is because at one time it was believed the plant was used by native American to treat syphilis. Ingestion of the root can cause vomiting. It should be considered poisonous.
References:
* Wildflowers of Tennesse by Jack B. Carman
* National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers Eastern | 
|
| Lobelia | Lobelia spicata
(Native) | Palespike Lobelia | Found in most states except the far west, Palespike Lobelia grows 1 to 4 feet tall, with alternating lanceolate leaves that are short relative to the height of the plant. | 
|
| Lousewort | Pedicularis canadensis
(Native) | Wood Betony; Canadian Lousewort | The Pocket, Walker County GA 04/02 | 
|
| Mariposa Lily | Calochortus eurycarpus
(Native) | White Mariposa Lily | The White Mariposa Lily has a striking flower with 3 showy petals and 3 white sepals which may extend slightly beyond the petals. The flower is atop a 12 to 18 inch stem mostly bare of leaves. | 
|
| Mayapple | Podophyllum peltatum*
(Native) | Mayapple | Mayapple | 
|
| Mayflower | Maianthemum racemosum*
(Native) | False Solomon's Seal, Feathery False Lily of the Valley, Solomon's Plume | Smilacina racemosa is a synonym of Maianthemum racemosum (L.) Link ssp. racemosum (eastern variety), according to USDA Plants Database, which also lists 'Feathery False Lily of the Valley' as the common name. I think the False Solomons Seal name is more appropriate due to the similarity of the plant to Solomon's Seal, and I also think it is in more common use, at least in the Southeastern U.S.
The members of the Smilacina genus were reclassified into the genus Maianthemum in the late 20th century, based on work by LaFrankie, published in 1986. There is some evidence that there has been some effort to move Maianthemum from the Lily family into the Butcher's Broom family, but it appears that has not been widely accepted. | 
|
| Mayweed | Anthemis cotula
(Introduced) | Mayweed, Stinking Chamomile | Near Newfound Gap in the Smokies, June 18, 2005. Similar to Oxeye Daisy but Mayflower has fewer petals (ray flowers), and the petals in Mayflower are notched. | 
|
| Meadow Beauty | Rhexia mariana
(Native) | Maryland Meadow Beauty | Grundy County, TN 7/12/2007 | 
|
| Meadow Parsnip | Thaspium barbinode
(Native) | Hairyjoint Meadow Parsnip | Hairy Meadow Parsnip. Named from stiff hairs at the stem branches on most plants. | 
|
| Meadow-rue | Thalictrum thalictroides*
(Native) | Rue Anemone | Low-growing spring wildflower less than a foot tall. Blossoms are pink to pure white with distinctively-shape pistils. | 
|
| Milkweed | Asclepias quadrifolia*
(Native) | Fourleaf Milkweed | Fourleaf Milkweed | 
|
| Milkweed | Asclepias verticillata*
(Native) | Whorled Milkweed | Asclepias verticillata has the typical milkweed blossom shape, but has very narrow leaves in whorls of 3 to 6 up the stem. The plant is normally erect; this specimen was hanging horizontally over a road bank. | 
|
| Milkweed | Asclepias tuberosa*
(Native) | Butterfly Milkweed, Butterfly Weed | Beautiful milkweed with blossoms ranging from red thru orange to yellow. It is threatened/endangered in Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. | 
|
| Milkweed | Asclepias variegata*
(Native) | White Milkweed, Redring Milkweed, Variegated Milkweed | White Milkweed is a native plant found in much of the eastern half of the United States outside of New England. It is listed as endangered in Connecticut, New York, and Pennsylvania | 
|
| Milkweed | Asclepias syriaca*
(Native) | Common Milkweed, Silkweed | This native milkweed is found in 38 of our 50 states and in much of Canada. It is listed in several weedy or invasive lists, so consider the impact on your area before propagation. In my opinion, it should be allowed to grow unles there is an overriding reason to destroy a plant's population, since milkweed is an important part of the ecosystem, providing food and habitat for many insects.
The milky white, sticky sap is reported to be toxic, but with appropriate preparation, several parts of the plant are reported to be edible, according to Wildflowers Of Tennessee, The Ohio Valley and the Southern Appalachians
. | 
|
| Mimosa | Albizia julibrissin
(Introduced) | Silk Tree, Mimosa | Mimosa tree, backyard Walker County GA 06/03/2004 | 
|
| Mimosa | Mimosa microphylla *
(Native) | Sensitive Briar, Littleleaf Sensitive-briar | Thumbnail size flower. Allan Ihrer has suggested that this might be M. nuttallii. USDA, however, does not list that species in Tennessee. I originally identified this as M. quadrivalvis, which is listed both as a synonym of M. nuttallii and M. microphylla, and subsequent investigation indicates M. microphylla is likely the correct identification. | 
|
| Mint | Prunella vulgaris
(Native) | Heal-All, Common Selfheal | North Georgia, Oct 2004. Used as herbal remedy for throat ailments | 
|
| Mistflower | Conoclinium coelestinum
(Native) | Blue Mistflower | Branching Aster 1' to 3' tall with opposite, almost triangle-shaped toothed leaves. Blue disk flowers but no ray flowers. | 
|
| Miterwort | Mitella diphylla
(Native) | Miterwort, Bishop's Cap | The Pocket at Pigeon Mountain, Walker County, GA | 
|
| Miterwort | Mitella stauropetala
(Native) | Smallflower Miterwort, Side-flowered miterwort | Smallflower Miterwort is found in 7 northwestern states (CO, ID, MT, OR, UT, WA, WY.) It has basal leaves with unique white blossoms in a raceme thinly populating one side of a stalk that may rise to 30 inches high. | 
|
| Mock Orange | Philadelphus lewisii
(Native) | Lewis’ Mock Orange, Indian Arrowhead, Syringa | Syringa (Lewis Mock Orange) is one of 37 species in the Philadelphus - Mock Orange – genus in the U.S. While it is not a true Syringa (the genus name for lilacs,) that name is the one most commonly used name for the plant in Idaho, where it is the state flower. It is a bushy deciduous shrub that can grow more 10 feet high, and is covered with blossoms in spring. | 
|
| Morning Glory | Calystegia sepium*
(Native) | Hedge Bindweed, Hedge False Bindweed | Common morning glory found in ditches, fencelines, roadsides. White to pinkish blossom. Elongated cordate leaf.
Note that there are several subspecies of this plant found in the United States, one of which is non-native. I have not identified this to the subspecies, so there is a possibility that this is a non-native rather than native species. Regardless of native or non-native status, several states list Calystegia sepium as a noxious weed.
| 
|
| Morning Glory | Ipomoea pandurata*
(Native) | Wild Potato Vine, Man of the Earth | This member of the morning glory family, like its cousin the sweet potato, has an edible root - but research it yourself before eating it, and don't eat it raw. | 
|
| Morning Glory | Ipomoea coccinea
(Introduced) | Small Red Morning Glory, Redstar, Starflower | Twining vine with cordate leaves to 3 inches and small red/scarlet flowers with a red-orange center to the blossom where the petals meet the corolla tube. | 
|
| Mountain Mint | Pycnanthemum incanum*
(Native) | Hoary Mountain Mint | Upper leaves have whitish tops. Dense flower clusters have coarse hairs making the cluster seem to be matted. Whitish flowers with purple spots. Crushed leaves have a very strong mint aroma. | 
|
| Mule Ears | Wyethia helianthoides*
(Native) | White Mule's Ears, White Wyethia, White-rayed Wyethia | The plants of the Wyethia (Mule-ears) genus is found in the western part of the United States. There are 10 classified species, of which two are hybrids. Only three of these are found in Idaho, where these photos are taken. Two of the pure species, Wyethia amplexicaulis and this one, W. Helianthoides, hybridize to form the third classified species found in Idaho, W. Xcusickii.
While White Mule's Ears is a relatively low-growing plant, usually less than 24 inches tall, with the long leaves for which the genus gets its common name being up to 16 inches long. | 
|
| Mullein | Verbascum thapsus
(Introduced) | Common Mullein, Great Mullein | Tall plant with woolly leaves diminishing in size as they alternately rise up the sturdy stem-stalk, which is terminated by a tight cluster of showy yellow flowers. | 
|
| Mullein | Verbascum blattaria
(Introduced) | Moth Mullein | Another mullein with showy yellow flowers that you'll frequently see along roadsides throughout most of the United States. | 
|
| Nightshade | Solanum carolinense
(Native) | Carolina Horse Nettle, Bull Nettle, Devil's Tomato | Not a true nettle, this is a member of the nightshade genus which includes the garden tomato. The Solanaceae family includes the Irish potato. In spite of the edible cousins, do not eat any part of this plant; as with most nightshades it is highly poisonous.
In spite of being a native plant, the deep-rooted and persistent Solanum carolinense is listed as a noxious weed in 7 of the 44 states where it is found. | 
|
| Onion | Allium canadense
(Native) | Wild Garlic | aka Meadow Garlic. Walker County, GA 05/10/2009 | 
|
| Parsley | Erigenia bulbosa
(Native) | Harbinger-of-Spring, Pepper and Salt | aka Pepper and Salt due to contrast between dark anthers and white petals. The Pocket, Walker County Ga, Feb 7, 2009 | 
|
| Partridge Pea | Chamaecrista fasciculata*
(Native) | Partridge Pea, Sleepingplant | Bright summer flower whose blossoms arise from the axils of the pinnately-compound leaves, which fold together when touched. Plant to 3 feet tall. | 
|
| Partridge Pea | Chamaecrista nictitans*
(Native) | Sensitive Partridge Pea, Wild Sensitive Plant, Sensitive Pea | Low-growing pea with yellow flowers and pinnately-divided leaves. The leaves will sometime fold up when touched. There is a tiny gland on the petiole near the plant stem.
Chamaecrista nictitans is a highly variable species, with 2 subspecies, nictitans and patellaria. Only nictitans is found in the continental US, and that subspecies has 5 varieties. The variety presented here, nictitans, is the most widespread variety. | 
|
| Passion Flower | Passiflora incarnata*
(Native) | Purple Passionflower, Maypop | According to unconfirmed information on Wikipedia, the Cherokees called this Ocoee and therefore the Ocoee River is named after this plant, which is the Tennessee State wildflower. Walker County, Ga - June 23, 2009 | 
|
| Pea | Lathyrus latifolius
(Introduced) | Perennial Pea, Sweet Pea, Everlasting Pea | Vine to 6 feet long with winged stems, petioles, and peduncles which uses petiole-terminating tendrils to climb. One to several pink to magenta butterfly-like blossoms on smooth, unwinged pedicels. | 
|
| Pea | Senna marilandica*
(Native) | Southern Wild Senna | Member of the pea family with pinnate leaf structure and dense flower clusters rising from the leaf axils in the upper part of the plant. | 
|
| Pennywort | Obolaria virginica
(Native) | Pennywort | Pigeon Mountain, Walker County, Ga 04/04/2009 | 
|
| Periwinkle | Vinca major
(Introduced) | Bigleaf Periwinkle, Large Periwinkle, Greater Periwinkle | Periwinkle, both Vinca major and Vinca minor are introduced species which escaped from gardens and have become fairly widely naturalized. V. major has larger leaves than V. minor as well as a larger blossom. V. Minor blossom is usually an inch across or smaller, while V. major may be 1.5 to 2 inches wide. | 
|
| Petunia | Ruellia caroliniensis*
(Native) | Carolina Wild Petunia | Hairy, long-pointed calyx lobes helps identify this wild petunia species. Walker County, 06/07/2009 | 
|
| Phacelia | Phacelia bipinnatifida*
(Native) | Purple Phacelia, Fernleaf Phacelia | Aka Fernleaf Phacelia. | 
|
| Phlox | Phlox pilosa
(Native) | Downy Phlox | Downy Phlox, Chilhowee Mountain, Polk County, TN 05/08/2004 | 
|
| Phlox | Phlox paniculata
(Native) | Fall Phlox; Garden phlox | Near Big Frog Mountain on FR221, Polk County, TN 06/13/2004 | 
|
| Phlox | Phlox amoena
(Native) | Hairy Phlox | Phlox species are difficult to differentiate. Not only do several species share similar shapes in both the flower and the leaves, but the color ranges are broad and similar. This unique characteristic for this species is the hairy flower calyx. Photo from Grundy County, TN, April 26 2008. | 
|
| Phlox | Phlox divaricata
(Native) | Wild Blue Phlox | aka Woodland Phlox. The Pocket, Walker County GA 03/18/2009 | 
|
| Phlox | Phlox glaberrima*
(Native) | Smooth Phlox | The Pocket at Pigeon Mountain, Walker County, GA 05/04/2009 | 
|
| Pigeonwings | Clitoria mariana
(Native) | Butterfly Pea, Atlantic pigeonwings | July 12, 2007 Grundy County TN | 
|
| Pitcherplant | Sarracenia oreophila*
(Native) | Green Pitcher Plant | This plant is critically endangered due to habitat destruction, both by development and agricultural use, and by plant collection by carnivorous plant enthusiasts and commercial dealers. There are about 35 known populations now: 5 counties in Alabama, 1 county in Georgia and 1 county in North Carolina. Formerly it was found in 7 additional counties in GA & AL. It was also known in one county in Tennessee, which is why the distribution on the USDA map includes TN. The Nature Conservancy has acquired three sites, the single Georgia location, a site in North Carolina, and one other site.
S. oreophila grows from a rhizome which may produce multiple pitchers, flowers, and leaves. While rhizomes are the principal mode of reproduction, it also produces seeds from its interesting flower.
Reference: Recovery Plan Green Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia oreophila) - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Southeast Region, Atlanta, Georgia | 
|
| Plantain | Plantago lanceolata
(Introduced) | Narrowleaf Plantain | One of several true plantains (genus Plantago) in the NW Georgia area. Walker County, 06/07/2009 | 
|
| Plum | Prunus virginiana*
(Native) | Chokecherry, Western Chokecherry, Black Chokecherry | There are three varieties of Prunus virginiana in the United States - P. Virginia var. virginiana (Common Chokecherry) is found in the eastern part of the country, and both P. virginiana var. melanocarpa (Black Chokecherry) and P. virginiana var. demissa (Western Chokecherry) are found in the western part. One variety or another is found in every state except Louisiana, Alabana, Mississippi, Florida, South Carolina, and Hawaii. Chokecherry is also found in most Canadian provinces.
There are minor differences between the varieties. Among other differences, var. melanocarpa has black fruit while the others have red or purple fruit. The fruit is edible, but use caution – as with many drupes (fruits with skin, pulp, and hard middle seed) the pit can be poisonous if consumed in large enough quantities (note that this is also true of peach, cherry, and plum pits,) and children have reportedly died from eating a large quantity of chokecherries with pits.
My initial identification of this plant was made using Idaho Mountain Wildflowers
.
Although it is a useful wildlife food, it is considered weedy or invasive in the Northeast by some authorities, so use some discrimination in determining whether to propagate the plant. | 
|
| Pokeweed | Phytolacca americana*
(Native) | American Pokeweed, Pokeberry, Inkberry, Poke Sallet | Famously edible leaves for Poke Sallet (Poke Salad), but careful - other plant parts, including the mature leaves, are poisonous.
American Pokeweed can be weedy (guess that by the name, right?) and is listed officially as such by several authoritative sources, such as the Southern Weed Science Society. | 
|
| Purple Coneflower | Echinacea purpurea*
(Native) | Eastern Purple Coneflower, Purple Coneflower | There are nine species of Echinacea found in the United State, with every state except for our 9 western-most states having at least one species. This species, Echinacea purpurea, is found in more of our states (28) than any of the other species.
Echinacea purpurea is a plant that grows to about 3 feet tall, with single terminal composite blossoms having pinkish-purple rays.
Eastern Purple Coneflower is listed as Endangered in Florida, and as Probably Extirpated in Michigan. | 
|
| Queen Anne's Lace | Daucus carota*
(Introduced) | Queen Anne's Lace, Wild Carrot | While the root of Queen Anne's Lace is edible, use caution! This plant, as with all members of the carrot family, looks quite similar to poison hemlock (Conium maculatum), the deadly plant believed to be the source of the poison that killed Socrates. | 
|
| Redbud | Cercis canadensis*
(Native) | Eastern Redbud | The Pocket, Walker County GA 03/30 | 
|
| Rhododendron | Rhododendron catawbiense
(Native) | Catawba Rhododendron, Mountain Rosebay,Purple Rhododendron | | 
|
| Rhododendron | Rhododendron maximum
(Native) | Rosebay Rhododendron | aka Great Laurel, aka White Laurel. Mid-June in the Smokies | 
|
| Rose | Rosa multiflora
(Introduced) | Multiflora Rose | Members of the Rosa genera have 5 sepals and 5 white or pink petals with multiple stamens. This photo is from Walker County, Georgia 05/04/2009. I have also photographed in Polk County, TN in early May. | 
|
| Rose Gentian | Sabatia angularis*
(Native) | Rose Pink | Upright plant 2' to 3' tall, opposite mostly ovate leaves that appear to be sessile. 5-petaled blossom with distinct yellow-green pentagonal center, which is has a red outline. | 
|
| Rose Gentian | Sabatia capitata*
(Native) | Appalachian Rose Gentian, Cumberland Rose Gentian | Found in only 4 states (AL, GA, NC, TN), Sabatia capitata is legally protected, listed as Rare in Georgia, where it is known in 7 counties, and listed as Endangered in Tennessee, where it is known only in 2 counties – Hamilton and Sequatchie. It is listed as "S2" - some level of endangered - in Alabama. The research that I've done so far implies that it is likely extinct in North Carolina. | 
|
| Rosinweed | Silphium pinnatifidum*
(Native) | Cutleaf Rosinweed, Cutleaf Prairie Dock, Tansy Rosinweed | Rosinweeds look very similar to sunflowers, but the seeds form from the ray flowers in rosinweeds, and from the disk flowers in sunflowers. Silphium pinnatifidum can be to 10' tall, and has numerous heads on branching, nearly leafless stems. S. pinnatifidum is considered by some botanists to be a variety of S. terebinthinaceum, with the primary difference being the deeply lobed (almost to the central vein) leaves in S. pinnatifidum. The basal floret of leaves in S. terebinthinaceum are spade-like. | 
|
| Rosinweed | Silphium mohrii*
(Native) | Mohr's Rosinweed, Shaggy Rosinweed | Description: Very hairy plant to 6 feet tall, found in only a few counties in Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. | 
|
| Sage | Salvia lyrata*
(Native) | Lyreleaf Sage | Lyreleaf Sage is a member of the mint family. Leaves are primarily basal, are oblong and deeply pinnately lobed. The plant is 1 to 2 feet tall, and blossoms in late spring or early summer. It can dominate open fields during its blooming season. The genus name Salvia implies the many medicinal purposes for which many of the 95 species in the genus are used. | 
|
| Silverbell | Halesia tetraptera*
(Native) | Mountain Silverbell, Carolina Silverbell, 4-wing Silverbell | Halesia tetraptera is a tree with white bell-shaped flowers that persist for about a week in the springtime. Depending on your choice of authority, there are two or three species of Halesia. H. tetraptera, H. carolina, and H. diptera are recognized by the USDA and , but most authorities seem to now classify what was H. Carolina as a subspecies of H. tetraptera. H. diptera, according to an article at Virginia Tech, is not a mountain species and is not found in North Georgia.
I'm breaking with my normal stance of considering ITIS to be authoritative on the valid classification because the following (and others) have chosen to classify H. carolina as a synonym of H. tetraptera. - Vanderbilt University
- NC State University
- Ohio State University
- Virginia Tech
- Richard Ware of the Georgia Botanical Society
H. tetraptera var tetraptera is a smaller tree to 35'. H. tetraptera var monticola can be over 100'. The tree we photographed was a small tree, but since it was clearly a young tree, the height was not indicative of the particular subspecies.
| | Skullcap | Scutellaria ovata*
(Native) | Heartleaf skullcap | Hairy, square-stemmed plant with blue to violet blossom with white corolla base. Flowers have cordate base attached to long petiole. | 
| | Skullcap | Scutellaria pseudoserrata*
(Native) | Southern Showy Skullcap, Falseteeth skullcap | There are 45 species of Scutellaria found in United States, 42 of which are native. At least one Scutellaria species is found in every state except Hawaii. S. Pseudoserrata is found in 5 southern states – Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Similar species are S. elliptica, which has blue to violet flowers with white markings, S. montana, which is almost entirely white with a lavender lower lip, and S. serrata, which may not have the distinct dark lavender lines exhibited by S. Pseudoserrata near the center of the lower lip. | 
| | Snow-wreath | Neviusia alabamensis*
(Native) | Alabama Snow-wreath | Alabama Snow-wreath is a rare decidous shrub with a blackberry-like stem, but the snow-wreath is thornless. It's a native plant found only in 6 states, and is listed as Threatened in its namesake Alabama, in Tennessee, and in Georgia, where it is found only in Walker County. | 
| | Solomon's Seal | Polygonatum biflorum*
(Native) | Smooth Solomon's Seal | Smooth Solomon's seal (P. biflorum) is 1 to 4 feet tall, arching, and is found in rich moist forests thoughout the eastern two-thirds of the United States and Canada. Similar species Hairy Solomon's seal (P. pubescens), has hairy veins on the underside of the leaf.
The name Solomon's Seal references the circular scars on the rhizome left by each year's flower stalk. I have not personally observed this, nor do I know what the seal of King Solomon looked like. | 
| | Speedwell | Veronica persica*
(Introduced) | Bird's Eye Speedwell | aka Persian Speedwell. May be V. arvensis, but longer flower pedicels imply V. persica, although USDA Plants Database doesn't list V. persica in Walker County, GA 03/28/2009
See Speedwell identification for more information on my identification process for this species. | 
| | Spicebush | Lindera benzoin*
(Native) | Northern Spicebush | Lindera benzoin is a shrub of moist forest understories, growing to 15-20 feet tall. You can make tea from the aromatic leaves and twigs. | 
| | Spiderwort | Tradescantia virginiana
(Native) | Virginia Spiderwort | Virginia Spiderwort | 
| | Spiderwort | Commelina communis
(Introduced) | Asiatic Dayflower | aka Mouse Ears. Blossom lasts for one day. Walker County, Ga June 6, 2009 | 
| | Spindletree | Euonymus americanus*
(Native) | Bursting Heart, Hearts-a-bustin', Strawberry Bush. | E. americanus is a shrub with thin stems and opposing, shallowly serrated leaves. The bush grows from 4 to 6 feet tall. Fruit is a red 4-lobed capsule. Each lobe splits open in the autumn, giving the name Bursting Heart.
A similar but taller and more northern species is Euonymous atropurpureus - Burningbush.
Thanks to @scgardeningnews for tweeting the South Carolina Native Plant Society Plant Identification website where I saw a photo that made this identification for me. | 
| | Spring Beauty | Claytonia caroliniana*
(Native) | Carolina Spring Beauty, Wide-leaved Spring Beauty | Spring Beauty is one of the early wildflowers, normally blooming March through early May, although you may catch a blossom opening in late February in some locations.
Carolina Spring Beauty - Claytonia caroliniana has a pair of stem leaves which are lanceolate-ovate on a distinct petiole. Similar Virginia Spring Beauty - C. virginiana - has narrow, grass-like leaves narrowing into an indistinct petiole. | 
| | Spring Beauty | Claytonia virginica
(Native) | Virginia Spring Beauty, Narrow-leaved Spring Beauty | Early spring wildflower that can be 4 to 12 inches tall. Very similar to Carolina Spring Beauty - C. caroliniana - with the primary differentiator being the leaf shape.
It is protected in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island as an endangered or historical species, according to the USDA Plants Database. | 
| | Spring Beauty | Claytonia perfoliata*
(Native) | Miner’s Lettuce, Indian Lettuce, Winter Purslane | One or more of the 28 North American species of Claytonia (Spring Beauty) are found in every state except Florida, Hawaii, and North Dakota. This species, Claytonia perfoliata, is primarily a western species, although disjunct populations have been reported in New Hampshire and Georgia. The USDA Plants Database shows it as introduced to Alaska and native to Georgia and New Hampshire, although I'm going to guess that it is likely an introduced species in those states as well. There are three subspecies of C. perfoliata - intermontana, mexicana, and perfoliata. Since ssp. perfoliata is the only one the USDA lists as being found in Idaho, where these photos were taken, it seems likely that these are ssp. perfoliata :-). | 
| | Spurge | Euphorbia mercurialina
(Native) | Cumberland Spurge, Mercury Spurge | The Pocket at Pigeon Mountain, Walker County, GA 03/21/2009 | 
| | Squawroot | Conopholis americana*
(Native) | Squawroot | Parisitic plant that makes it's living off the roots of oak trees. | 
| | Star Grass | Hypoxis hirsuta*
(Native) | Yellow Star Grass, Common Goldstar | Yellow Star Grass | 
| | Starwort | Stellaria pubera
(Native) | Star Chickweed | Polk County, TN | 
| | Starwort | Stellaria media*
(Introduced) | Common Chickweed | Common Chickweed is a non-native species which is now found in every state in the United States. It is low-growing, often found in mats of tangle plants in disturbed areas. | 
| | Stonecrop | Sedum ternatum
(Native) | Woodland stonecrop | The Pocket at Pigeon Mountain, Walker County, GA 04/04/2009 | 
| | Strawberry | Fragaria virginiana
(Native) | Virginia Strawberry, Wild Strawberry | This most widely-distributed wild strawberry, the Virginia Strawberry is found in every state in the United States except Hawaii. This United States native plant was one of the two species used to create the hybrid garden strawberry. | 
| | Sunflower | Helianthus angustifolius*
(Native) | Swamp Sunflower, Narrow-leaf Sunflower | aka Narrow-leaved Sunflower. Relatively easy sunflower to identify due to the narrow leaves, which are no longer than normal for a sunflower, but much narrower. The stem of Helianthus angustifolius has coarse hairs, especially on the lower part of the plant. The leaves also have hairs on the edge near the stem. Narrow-leaf sunflower has yellow ray flowers with darker disk flowers than many other sunflowers. | 
| | Sunflower | Helianthus atrorubens*
(Native) | Purpledisk sunflower, Appalachian sunflower | Multiple flower heads terminating a stem which is quite hairy in the lower half; glabrous to pubescent nearing the inflorescence. The leaves are opposite with leaf pairs in whorled pattern around the stem. The leaves are greatly reduced as they near the top. Several flowers each on an individual 3” pedicels. Ovate, veined leaves are hairy and rough on top; hairy on bottom. A similar species is H. silphioides; the reason I decided this species is H. atrorubens is that the USDA doesn't list H. silphioides as being found in Georgia. | 
| | Sunflower | Helianthus microcephalus*
(Native) | Small Woodland Sunflower, Small-headed Sunflower | This is one of just a few Helianthus species which normally has fewer than 10 ray florets (petals.) Both the rays and disk are yellow. This plant is native to the eastern part of the United States, mostly south and central. The stem is smooth, sometimes glaucous, and the opposing lanceolate leaves are quite rough on the upper surface. | 
| | Sweetroot | Osmorhiza longistylis
(Native) | Longstyle Sweetroot, Sweet Anise, Aniseroot | The leaves and stem when crushed will have a slight licorice smell; the root is anise-scented. This identification vs the very simily O. claytonii (Sweet Cicely) is based on the style of the flower, which is significantly longer than the 5 white petals. In O. claytonii, according to Wildflowers Of Tennessee, The Ohio Valley and the Southern Appalachians
the style is shorter than the petals. | 
| | Sweetshrub | Calycanthus floridus
(Native) | Eastern Sweetshrub | Grundy County, TN, 04/26/2008 | 
| | Sweetspire | Itea virginica
(Native) | Virginia Sweetspire, Virginia Willow, Tassel-white | This plant grows on streambanks and other moist areas. It is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental not only for its blossoms, but also for the rich, long-lasting fall color of its foliage. lightly fragrant. To about 8 feet tall. | 
| | Thistle | Cirsium vulgare
(Introduced) | Bull Thistle | Polk County, TN 08/14/2004 | 
| | Thistle | Carduus nutans*
(Introduced) | Bristle Thistle | aka Musk Thistle and Nodding Thistle, but I like the sound of Bristle Thistle. Rutherford County, TN. June 13, 2009. Photo by Cindy Williamson | 
| | Tickseed | Coreopsis lanceolata*
(Native) | Lanceleaf Coreopsis | Lanceleaf Coreopsis is a late spring / early summer wildflower that is found in all but eight states in the United States. While it is native to the continental states, it is an introduced species in Hawaii. The plant grows to approximately 3 feet tall. | 
| | Touch-me-not | Impatiens capensis*
(Native) | Jewelweed, Touch-me-not, Spotted jewelweed | Reported to be an antidote for poison ivy allergins, when crushed and the liquid rubbed on the area which was in contact with the poison ivy. | 
| | Touch-me-not | Impatiens pallida*
(Native) | Pale Touch-me-not, Pale Snapweed | Of the 10 Impatiens species found wild in the United States, 5 are native. This species, I. pallida is one of those natives, and it is found in 33 of our states. It is protected as a plant of Special Concern in Maine.
Pale Touch-me-not grows to 5 feet tall in moist areas, usually in dense colonies. | 
| | Trillium | Trillium catesbaei*
(Native) | Catesby's Trillium, Bashful Wakerobin, Rose Trillium | The yellow anthers make a quick differentiation with the nodding trillium (Trillium cernuum), which have pink anthers. | 
| | Trillium | Trillium simile
(Native) | Sweet White Trillium | I originally thought these to be Large-flowered trillium (T. grandiflorum), but have decided these must be T. simile. I made that call because the base of the petals are pink in these flowers, and they should be pure white (until they turn with age) in T. grandiflorum. However, I'm still in some doubt because the petal shape and the prominence of the sepals seem more like T. grandiflorum. Let me know if you have a strong opinion (or positive ID) either way. | 
| | Trillium | Trillium sessile
(Native) | Toadshade Trillium | aka Little Sweet Betsy. One of the sessile trilliums, which have the "toadshade" designation. T. sessile is shorter, has smaller leaves, and a smaller blossom than T. cuneatum, which is easily and frequently confused with T. sessile. | 
| | Trillium | Trillium decumbens*
(Native) | Trailing Trillium | Trailing trillium is characterized by carrying its three leaves close to the ground. It has a lovely deep red blossom, starting to bloom in mid-March. | 
| | Trillium | Trillium flexipes*
(Native) | White Trillium, Nodding Wakerobin, Nodding Trillium | One of a number of white trilliums which carry their flowers on a pedicel. Those with pedicels are wakerobins, those without are toadshades.
Synonyms:
Trillium declinatum
Trillium erectum
Trillium gleasonii | 
| | Trillium | Trillium cuneatum*
(Native) | Little Sweet Betsy, Toadshade Trillium | The sessile, stalked trilliums are known as Toadshades. | 
| | Trillium | Trillium vaseyi*
(Native) | Vasey's Trillium, Sweet Wakerobin | Vaseys Trillium, as indicated by the Sweet Wakerobin name by which it is also known, is one of the trilliums whose flower is on a pedicel. The blossom nods below the leaves. | 
| | Triplet-Lily | Triteleia grandiflora*
(Native) | Large-flowered Triplet-lily | Triteleia grandiflora is found in eight of our western states (CA, CO, ID, MT, OR, UT, WA, WY.) It will be about 1 to 2 feet tall or a bit taller, growing in dry meadows, sagebrush, and pine forests. To us easterners, it has the appearance of an onion species with large flowers, but there was no detectable aroma. There are blue and white varieties. | 
| | Trumpet Creeper | Campsis radicans*
(Native) | Trumpet Creeper | Walker County, Ga 06/26/2004 | 
| | Twinleaf | Jeffersonia diphylla
(Native) | Twinleaf | The only other species in the genus is J. dubia, an Asian plant. Jeffersonia diphylla is a species native to the parts of the United States and Canada. It is endangered or threatened in four states – Iowa, New Jersey, New York, and Georgia, where it is found only in a small area of Walker County. | 
| | Vetch | Coronilla varia
(Introduced) | Purple Crown Vetch | This looks a lot like Coronilla varia - purple crown vetch - but the University of Tennessee Herbarium lists that species as not being found in Polk County. However, since it is being listed as being found in Monroe County, which is the next county north of Polk, that's what I'm calling this flower.
C. varia is a synonym for Securigera varia (07/2009) | 
| | Viburnum | Viburnum acerifolium*
(Native) | Maple Leaved Viburnum | Polk County, TN May 8, 2004 | 
| | Viburnum | Viburnum dentatum
(Native) | Southern Arrowood | Along Roaring Fork Creek in the GSMNP | 
| | Violet | Viola hastata
(Native) | Halberdleaf Yellow Violet | Probably Halberdleaf Yellow Violet, Big Frog Trail, Polk County, TN 05/08/2004 | 
| | Violet | Viola sororia*
(Native) | Common Blue Violet | Common Blue Violet, Big Frog Trail, Polk County, TN 05/08/2004 | 
| | Violet | Viola canadensis
(Native) | Canada Violet | Canada Violet Big Frog Trail, Polk County TN 05/08/2004 | 
| | Violet | Viola blanda
(Native) | Sweet White Violet | Sweet White Violet | 
| | Violet | Viola pedata
(Native) | Bird's-foot violet | Bird's-foot or Crow-foot violet, Grundy County, TN 04/28/2007 | 
| | Violet | Viola rostrata*
(Native) | Long-spurred violet | The Pocket at Pigeon Mountain, Walker County, GA 03/18/2009 | 
| | Violet | Viola rotundifolia
(Native) | Roundleaf yellow violet | One of several species of yellow violets found in the United States, Viola rotundifolia has ovate to cordate leaves. A key identifier for this species is, according to Wildflowers Of Tennessee, The Ohio Valley and the Southern Appalachians
is that this is the only yellow violet in eastern North America with the flowers and leaves on separate stalks. | 
| | Waterleaf | Hydrophyllum canadense*
(Native) | Broad-leaf Waterleaf ; Bluntleaf Waterleaf | Broad-leaf Waterleaf is a woodland plant which grows from 1 to 2 feet tall, and blossoms in late spring. The maple-leaved plant is similar to H. appendiculatum – Appendaged Waterleaf, but the latter is a distinctly hairy plant, and is not usually found with white blossoms. | 
| | Waterleaf | Hydrophyllum capitatum
(Native) | Ballhead Waterleaf | The Ballhead Waterleaf is found on moist mountain slopes and woodlands in 9 northwestern states (CA, CO, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY.) The color seems to be generally bluish at lower elevations getting paler – to white – as the elevation gets higher, although you may find a mix at any altitude. This common, small, attractive plant may be up to about a foot tall. | 
| | Waterlily | Nymphaea odorata
(Native) | American White Water Lily, Fragrant Water Lily, White Water Lily | The American White Water Lily (waterlily) is a beautiful aquatic plant found in most states in the United States.
The species consists of two subspecies, Nymphaea odorata ssp. odorata and N. odorata ssp. tuberosa. The latter is usually has somewhat larger flowers, and the petals are somewhat blunter. The more widespread subspecies from which the species takes its epithet has a very sweet fragrance, reported to be missing from ssp. tuberosa. The unscented American White Water Lilies are not found in the west or southeast. | 
| | Wood Poppy | Stylophorum diphyllum*
(Native) | Wood Poppy, Celandine Poppy | A beautiful, yellow, early spring wildflower. | 
| | Wood Sorrel | Oxalis montana
(Native) | Mountain Wood Sorrel, Northern Wood Sorrel. | The "montana" epithet means "mountain". It is not found in the state of Montana. Synonym Oxalis acetosella | 
| | Wood Sorrel | Oxalis violacea*
(Native) | Violet Wood Sorrel | Gruetli-Laager, Grundy County, TN 04/26/2008 | 
| | Woodland-star | Lithophragma parviflorum
(Native) | Smallflower Woodland-star | Found in 11 western states, this small flower grabs attention as you walk the trails due to the lobed petals, giving it a star-like appearance. It is common, found usually at altitudes of close to 5,000 feet and higher. | 
| | Yarrow | Achillea millefolium*
(Native) | Common Yarrow, Milfoil | While this member of the aster family is native to much of the United States, it is an introduced species in Hawaii. | 
| | Yellow Loosestrife | Lysimachia quadrifolia*
(Native) | Whorled Loosestrife | While the species name for this plant implies that there are four leaves in the whorl, there can be 3 to 6 (some reports even 7.) This specimen found on Big Frog Trail near the trailhead in Polk County, TN has 5 leaves per whorl at the upper nodes, and 6 leaves in the lowest one photographed. The plant is generally 1 to 3 feet tall. |  | | |
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