Smoky Mountain Spring Wildflowers

Hepatica- 2-13-2017 Growing From Charred Ground

I spent another few days in the Smokies at a Volleyball tournament (granddaughters team were 13-year-old gold champions) and was able to sneak out a couple of mornings to the park. The first morning was to Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse near Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area. It was a warm morning and nice walk but no wildflowers. I had heard Hepatica was being found blooming in places which was one reason I was looking.

On Monday morning, I went to one of my favorite trails; the Cove Hardwoods Nature Loop at the Chimney Tops Picnic Area. There, I found the recent wild fires and storms have caused much damage. But, the wildflowers seem to have survived. Many early hepatica were blooming and provided a much needed wildflower fix until spring comes to West Virginia. 

And if there's not enough to worry about in the world, there's this!!

I was afraid to turn my back on it



Actually, this was storm damaged and in danger of falling on the trail. I've never seen anything marked like this..

Nothing is fairer, if as fair, as the first flower, the hepatica. I find I have never admired this little firstling half enough. When at the maturity of its charms, it is certainly the gem of the woods. What an individuality it has! No two clusters alike; all shades and sizes. A solitary blue-purple one fully expanded and rising over the brown leaves or the green moss, its cluster of minute anthers showing like a group of pale stars on its little firmament, is enough to arrest and hold the dullest eye.

John Burroughs