To research for this post, I took myself on my favorite hike in Pisgah National Forest. The first mile or so is flat, meandering along and across Cove Creek. Then, rather abruptly, the trail inclines. If you’re paying close attention, you’ll notice the ascending elevation presents different vegetation from that of the creek bed. That’s why I have done this hike dozens of times; each time, I discover a new character of the forest, plant or animal, that I wasn’t aware of before. This particular “research hike,” made for one of the most memorable outdoor experiences I’ve ever had.
In order to thoroughly appreciate a hike in this woods this time of year, you need to come prepared for a full-sensory experience. I’m telling you, the air smells like warm honey. You can hear the singing of a dozen bird species in all directions. The brisk and dry winter air has been replaced with a balmy breeze. And the colors. A hundred shades of green from the forest floor to the top of the canopy, interrupted by a dazzling display of multi-colored flowers. If you can manage to get the trail to yourself, simply being silently present in such a place at this time is immersion-therapy.
I cannot overstate that the month of May is the veritable golden hour of the southern Appalachian forest. Whether you do a hike that you’ve done before, or choose a completely new one, my advice is to allot yourself more time than usual. Make this your once-a-year traipse through the woods, pausing to observe every delightful nuance that remotely sparks your interest. And yes, you really really should stop to smell the flowers.
Tips for responsible flower-peeping:
You love flowers, I love flowers, and it turns out, so do the pollinators. Here are some things to keep in mind on your floral journey:
- Stay on the path.
- It’s the idea that if just you are the one to stray from the path to scope out a plant, it’s not a big deal. But imagine if every person after you were to do the same? Social paths or trails are haphazardly made by hikers who depart from the main trail. This may be to avoid a puddle, transect a switchback, or simply see something cool. While we highly condone seeing cool things on hikes, the forging of a social path (even if accidental) degrades the habitat surrounding the trail. If a closer view of a particular flower is what you’re after, chances are high that you’ll eventually see the same species closer to the trail.
- Don’t pick anything.
- See the flowers, smell the flowers, photograph the flowers, but PLEASE let them continue serving their purpose for the plant. Keeping in mind the rule of accumulation: one flower gone from the forest won’t hurt anything, but imagine if everyone did the same?
- Watch your step.
- OK, so when I did this flower hike, my head was on a swivel. I was looking up into the canopy, down around my feet, and out along the undergrowth. Be mindful that spring is also when our danger noodle (snake) friends awaken from their wintery slumber (See previous post [link]). They are active and looking for food. Additionally, this is the time of year when baby plants are emerging from the topsoil. Prioritize avoiding snakes and seedlings on your quest for May flowers.
- Take a photo, it lasts longer.
- As much as I don’t appreciate using my phone while I’m focused on connecting with nature, it is awfully convenient for taking pictures. That way, not only am I preserving the memory, but I have something to reference for subsequent identification.
Now that we know how, when, and where to view this spectacle, here are a few blooms to look for (and really can’t miss) on your May meander…
May flowers of Southern Appalachia:
The Great White Trillium is not always white, sometimes displaying light to dark pink petals but always in a set of 3 as the name suggests. Unlike some other trillium species, this flower is displayed above the plant and often in spectacular drifts of dozens to hundreds of blooms. 
The Wood Anemone, also known as the Windflower, is in the buttercup family. This plant contains the chemical compound, anemonin, which is toxic. 
Appearing very similar to an orchid, the Fringed Polygala, or Flowering Wintergreen, is a small, showy bloom. Members of its genus are known for producing compounds which assist with milk-production in mammals. 
Known for having an unusual range distribution, Sand-myrtle is seldom found in the mountains (where it is only seen at very high elevations). Regionally, this small evergreen shrub most commonly occurs in the Coastal Plain of North Carolina. 
Also known as the Appalachian bluet, the Thymeleaf bluet was probably my most exciting find. This flower is native only to a section of the Appalachian mountains between Pennsylvania and Georgia. They are typically found in patches along streambeds, producing small delicate lavender flowers spring through the summer. 
The Red Trillium presents quite a spectacle, with the flower protruding conspicuously from its three large leaves. Also known as “bethroot” or “birthroot,” this plant was historically used for menstrual disorders or to induce childbirth. 
Distinguished from the Red Trillium by the shape and location of the bloom (which occurs under the three leaves), the Vasey’s Trillium is native only to the southern Appalachian Mountains. 
This particular image portrays an Indian Cucumber Root in the initial phases of blooming. Soon, the flower (at the end of a single long stem), will turn yellow, with a crimson hue near its center. Berries, which are green until mid-summer, become dark purple. Its name is in reference to the taste of its roots, which resemble cucumber. However, consumption is highly discouraged as this plant is in relatively low abundance. 
Carolina Allspice is a shrub that grows 6-9 feet tall and produces a sweet, fragrant red bloom in the spring and summer. Though poisonous when eaten, the odor from both the leaves and flowers is intoxicating. 
Wild geraniums produce lovely flowers from April to July. With a global range and many varieties, it is almost assured you will find a natural display in the spring. 
The Showy Orchid is a small, wild orchid, native to deciduous woodlands of the Eastern U.S. The blooms feature a “landing platform” for their primary pollinator, the bumble bee. Similar to the Lady’s Slipper, this plant requires nutrients from a specific fungus in the soil to grow. 
Known for its “foamy” blooms, the Heartleaf Foamflower buds sit atop a long stalk. This stalk is flanked by distinctive, heart-shaped leaves and are a copious addition to the shady woodland undergrowth. 
This time of year, look for the swaths of the Mayapple’s distinctive leaf shapes in shady, flat woodland undergrowth. Once you find them, peak under the leaves to find a solitary, rose shaped flower. So named for the timeliness of their blooms, the Mayapple is an abundant addition to the forest floor. 
Of the Chickweed species, the Star Chickweed is the most distinctive with its star-shaped white flowers, which are open for 12 hours a day. As a tasty and herbaceous plant, it has historically been used widely, both medicinally and nutritionally. 
It is said that Native American chiefs were only granted their title if they survived eating the poisonous Green False Hellebore. In the Lily family, they produce green, star-shaped, hairy flowers. 
Typically, the Dwarf-crested Iris is pale lavender, with an orange or yellow crest. On a rare occasion, you may find white blooms. Though a fragrant pollen-producer in the spring, the seeds produced in late summer are toxic to most wildlife. 
A deciduous shrub, the Swamp Doghobble features a cluster of bell-shaped flowers which turn red in the fall. It is a member of the heath family, related to laurels, rhododendron, and sourwoods.
For more information on these featured flowers, visit these source links (in order as they appear in the post):
Great White Trillium: https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/trillium_grandiflorum.shtml
Wood Anemone: https://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/2020/12/native-plant-wood-anemone/
Fringed Polygala: https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/polygala_paucifolia.shtml
Sand Myrtle: https://www.carolinanature.com/trees/lebu.html
Thymeleaf Bluet: http://www.floralfinds.com/2017/08/14/thymeleaf-bluet/
Red Trillium: https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/trillium_erectum.shtml
Vasey’s Trillium: https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/trillium_vaseyii.shtml
Indian Cucumber Root: https://wildadirondacks.org/adirondack-wildflowers-indian-cucumber-root-medeola-virginiana.html
Carolina Allspice: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/calycanthus-floridus/
Wild Geranium: https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/geranium_maculatum.shtml
Showy Orchid: https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/galearis_spectabilis.shtml
Heartleaf Foamflower: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=tico
Mayapple: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=pope
Star Chickweed: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/stellaria-pubera/
Green False Hellebore: https://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=45866
Dwarf Crested Iris: https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/beauty/iris/Dwarf_Woodland/iris_cristata.shtml
Swamp Doghobble: https://smokymountainnews.com/archives/item/13588-the-doghobble-s-claim-to-fame
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