Southern Appalachian Wildflowers Photo Gallery by Rich Stevenson at pbase.com

Southern Appalachian Wildflowers

There are literally hundreds of varieties of wildflowers in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Blooming begins in March and continues into late October and early November. I've kind of arranged this gallery by color, so hopefully that will make it easier for you to find a flower you are trying to ID. I've also added separate galleries on the first page for specific types of flowers like trilliums, violets and native orchids so all of those will be grouped together since they vary in color.

A very few of the flowers here are not native to this area and might be an invasive species. If you spot an incorrect ID, feel free to let me know. I use several books and online sources and do the best I can. Please click on the thumbnail for a larger image.

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Ladies' Tresses 1	Ladies' Tresses 2	Ladies' Tresses 3	Grass of Parnassus 1
Grass of Parnassus 2	Grass of Parnassus 3	Grass of Parnassus 4	Scentless Mock Orange 1
Scentless Mock Orange 2	Tall Rattlesnake-root	Wild Comfrey	Miami Mist 1
Miami Mist 2	Thyme-leaved Bluet 1	Thyme-leaved Bluet 2	Azure Bluet 1
Bluet Flowers	Bluet and Moss	White Bluet	Tiny Bluet 1

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comment |

Arida		10-Apr-2021 19:19
In attempting to identify wild flowers it is very helpful to have leaves pictured as well as flowers. Makes a big difference. Thanks.

Rich Stevenson		01-Aug-2018 18:39
Hi Sarah - thanks for your kind comment! Each color section is kind of (but not exactly) arranged by season with the spring bloomers at the first of each section and the fall bloomers at the end. It's very tough to do because of the wide difference in elevation. What blooms in late March in the mountains of SC might not bloom until late April in the higher elevations of NC or TN. I think I have dates on all of the pictures which might also help you.

Sarah		22-Jul-2018 21:27
What a beautiful gallery! I'm trying to learn some wildflowers so that I can teach my kids. Do you happen to have these listed by bloom season? It would be a great help in order to prepare. Thanks!

HI		28-Apr-2018 22:01
thats a lot.

Guest		25-Apr-2018 03:18
This is AMAZING work! This is so incredibly helpful! Thank you one thousand times!

Rich Stevenson		15-Oct-2017 12:14
Hi Cori - no I don't know, but they sound beautiful! Do you have any photos?

Guest		11-Oct-2017 02:46
I'm in Middle Tennessee, about twenty miles due south of Cookeville, and I have some tall white lilies that I first noticed on my place last year. They look for all the world like Easter lilies, though they have very little scent, but they mature anywhere between 4' - 8' tall, with several blooms at the top of the stalk. I've spoken with neighbors who have seen these lilies elsewhere in Tennessee, since they were kids, so I'm wondering if you might know what they are, and whether they are native or invasive. Love your site - I'll spend more time on it when I'm able. Thanks, Cori

seedbox seeedboxbr.com		20-Jul-2017 03:39
Oi, eu acho que seu site pode estar tendo problemas de compatibilidade do navegador. Quando acesso seu blog no Chrome , parece bom, mas ao abrir no Internet Explorer, aparecem algumas sobreposições. Só queria deixar um aviso rápido! Parabéns pelo excelente site!! https://www.seedboxbr.com/contato/

Guest		07-Dec-2016 17:54
i would suggest the smoky mountain wildflower guide by the Hutson father son team because it was great and well organized and answered every flower question I had up until around halfway through the AT.

Guest		07-Dec-2016 17:52
the green flower that attracts all the bees is filmy angelica

Guest		07-Dec-2016 17:42
found flower name i looked every where for, hedge nettle, whorled loosestrife, fly poisoin, and i figured out the difference between wood sorrel and spring beauty.

James K Odell		24-Jul-2016 01:03
What is the large, tall plant by the Clingman's Dome Trail that attracts so many bees? It has agreenish inflorescence. I haven't seen any showy flower on it.

Guest		05-Jul-2016 14:50
This is extremely helpful; thank you!

Guest		25-May-2016 21:21
Thanks so much for these. Hiked in upstate SC today, saw a beautiful red flower. Found it on your site. Indian pink.

couponcodes		26-Jan-2016 00:56
Fantastic gallery, thanks!

Guest		09-Dec-2015 23:58
Was too hard to find just a simple name like "Fern Frond 3" can be confusing, but "Fern Frond" is much more simpler. But u still did an AMAZING job and had put much dedication in this website. Good Job..

J. Dan Pittillo		25-Jul-2015 11:08
As a native of Hendersonville, I came across your wildflower photographs searching for answer to a friend's request for a Franklin, NC Greenway shrub that"...has white pannicles similar to Butterfly bush, leaves larger than B.bush but can't go farther w/ details of leaves. Shrub not compact and on slope seemed 5+'. I saw it on the Greenway, left side between start and the 1/4 mile marker." Rich, I've never known you but wonder if you live near my home? Your photographs are beautifully done and amazingly extensive. If I were to want to use in a book I'm writing, what is your requirement?

Rich Stevenson		26-Apr-2015 17:28
Hey Paul - you can send it to my email and I'll try to ID it - waterfallrich@yahoo.com

Paul J Brown		25-Apr-2015 00:59
I am an amateur photographer and I have come across a wildflower found and photographed in Deep Gap, Clay County, western NC that I have not been able to ID. It is 5 petaled with a yellow 5 pointed stamen. How might I send a small jpg file for a positive ID?

Gina Royer		07-Mar-2015 14:21
Hello, I am looking for an umbrella flower that the petals turn translucent when wet. Are these umbrella's like that and does anyone have any seeds for sale? I am in zone 6. Thanks

sandymoebeler		15-Feb-2015 00:06
Very nice

Rich Stevenson		20-Oct-2014 22:33
Hi Janice - you can send it to me here - waterfallrich@yahoo.com

jeff michels		16-Oct-2014 01:40
Excellent reference! I flyfish in the back country around the Smokies and see many of these.

Jace		07-Jul-2014 12:56
Fantastic! I use this gallery to help me ID flowers I see.

Rich Stevenson		29-May-2014 14:44
Maybe a Speckled Wood Lily??

Guest		24-May-2014 10:58
May 24 nantahala Nat. Forrest - am seeing a large wide leaf lily type leaves with a 6 inch tall stem topped by a cluster of small white flowers???? Leaf is wider than a ramp. Help

Siarl Bychan		04-Sep-2013 02:08
Wow. You have amassed an incredible collection of blooms here. I will be taking a hiking trip through the Appalachians and hope to catch some shots of some of the blooms you have here. Thank you for sharing your collection!

Zeeby		05-Aug-2013 23:20
A great works and fabulous collection!!!

James "Cheesy Turtle" Brenner		18-Apr-2013 19:56
I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail last year and you helped me out immensely by putting names on most of the beautiful flowers I took pictures of. Your pictures are very beautiful. Thanks a lot.

Pieter Bos		14-Apr-2013 21:35
Lovely gallery with some beautiful flower images! ~V

John Barreiro		02-Apr-2013 22:17
A fine collection of carefully taken images. V

Bob Patton		13-Aug-2012 01:55
Magnificent. Huge amount of work, no doubt over years, has gone into this. Thanks much and congrats on the accomplishment.

Rich Stevenson		28-Sep-2011 01:00
I've used this web site the most for ID's http://2bnthewild.com/index2.shtml

KM Jordan		25-Sep-2011 19:49
Great photos! I'm just getting back to photographing plants again. I struggle with identification too. Would love it if you had any suggestions of websites for ID purposes. Keep it up! :)

Guest		19-May-2011 00:12
That plant is in fact a sedge in the genus Cymophyllus. It is likely C. fraserianus (Fraser sedge).

Rich Stevenson		30-Apr-2011 23:56
This is just a guess, but it might be a type of sedge.

sitkapeggy		21-Apr-2011 23:42
Thanks for the nice identified photos. I could not find the wildflower that my sister came across (see link below for a photo). Have you seen it and do you know what it is? http://www.trailjournals.com/photos.cfm?id=604376

arlene		01-Mar-2011 20:28
Very beautiful gallery of wildflower pictures. That took quite a bit of time and effort to build such a collection of photos. The pink lady slippers 1-6 are often called "stemless lady-slippers" because the true stem of the plant is underground. The other name for them is pink moccasin. Also you have some pictures of yellow lady slippers. That is the correct name , but they are also known as yellow moccasins because of the side tendrils or petals. Once again- great photos- thanks for sharing.

Guest		09-Aug-2010 02:28
You've definitely done your homework. I was researching the name of a species I had not encountered in our beautiful Appalachian Mountains and found it here. Beautiful photography, well done web site, and enough information to satisfy most of us. Thank you! 1

Guest		07-Aug-2010 23:45
Wow ! What a collection.

Guest		18-Jul-2010 20:23
I love your photo album. I'm originally from Georgia, and miss my Appalachians and the beauty they hold in store for anyone willing to take the time to look. Thanks so much for sharing!

Paolo Peggi (aka Bracciodiferro)		15-May-2010 19:05
Great pictures.Vote! Paolo

joseantonio		15-May-2010 15:54
It´s a pleasure to look at these pictures

michelle		29-Apr-2010 19:09
this is so pretty

Bob Maddox		10-Apr-2010 02:13
An outstanding website Rich, excellet photos.

RCatherKelly		09-Mar-2010 03:42
Thank you for these beautiful photographs. Many of these wildflowers grow in the woods behind my home in Pennsylvania, but the rarer, and/or Southern wildflowers, I've only seen in photographs. If I never get to walk the woods of the Great Smokies, you've at least allowed me a glimpse of the beauty found there. Thank you so much.

Eileen Sloan		17-Jul-2009 17:03
I have recently started to i.d. wildflowers on my walk to make it more interesting as I hate to exercise. This collection has shown me some flowers that the wildflower book that I bought did not have. Thank you for sharing. I walk in the Nanthahalia Forest area of Hayesville, NC.

Guest		14-Jun-2009 23:12
I love your wildflowres. I will definately share this site. Thanks!!!

Chris		14-May-2009 02:26
We love your wildflowers, just wonderful shots. I am very amazed at your versatility and talents. Thanks. Never seen indian pipes (off white) and strange flowers bloom in end-July early August

Michele Lee		03-May-2009 19:16
Superb and brilliant collection of wildflowers!!! I love how you've identified them (sure helped me identify one today -- thanks!) Huge V!!!

Linda F		30-Apr-2009 22:05
I am from Colorado and never knew columbine grew this far south until I lucked upon one growing in the wild. It is now one of my most prized plants.

Eva M. Wike, Ph.D.		18-Apr-2009 12:05
Hey: The FRINGED PHACELIA was the wildflower that brought me to your site. This is THE BEST Exhibit of our wonderful Appalachian Wildflowers. I have tried three times to MAKE OCONEE BELLS grow in my wildflower setting. WHAT IS THE SECRET to growing these BRAVE FLOWERS?

ELLEN DUTTON		09-Apr-2009 15:05
I really enjoyed your pictures. I could look at them for hours!!

Linda		03-Oct-2008 15:09
I need someone to identify a some flowers I found growing in our yard. They are in the shade. Large pink multi-layer blooms, about 18' tall. I can send a photo. Please email me at lwright@aladdin-properties.com if you can help.

CC		08-Aug-2008 04:17
Your photography is incredible! I viewed your photos with amazement!

Guest		15-Apr-2008 05:51
Great photos of wildflowers - big and beautiful collection! I like them very much. See mine pictures of wildflowers:http://www.digitalphoto.pl/en/plants/wildflowers/

Guest		13-Apr-2008 20:07
What a marvelous and beautiful collection you've put together here. The photography is top notch, too. Thanks to you, I was able to identify some little flowers growing near my home in Rosman, NC. - Epigaea repens

promeneur		17-Mar-2008 00:15
Votre galerie est magnifique. V

Guest		13-Mar-2008 19:21
I love Veronica perica ! Thanks for displaying the photo and name of this plant. My husband and I are new to the area and marvel at this beautiful groundcover - a carpet of blue flowers in March. Some might call it a weed. . I think it is beautiful as a lawn and seems to be nicer looking and lower maintenance than grass. Long live V. p.! Jennifer in Morganton

Barbara Dial		07-Mar-2008 00:34
Great pics! I am also a photograher & backpacker! Hi, Craig!

Guest		15-Dec-2007 00:19
Great pictures. I have camped near these locations

Guest		11-Dec-2007 01:28
Excellent Gallery V

LynnH		10-Dec-2007 21:12
I love the soft colors and textures. Your flowers photos have an aire of mystery.

Guest		17-Aug-2007 19:15
Your photos are wonderful - both the wildflowers and the falls. Love the descriptions of the falls and the "how-to" information. This is our first visit to the area and it's breathtaking.

cellojello7		16-Jul-2007 20:52
Sweet! We will be in Hanging Rock August 2-15, so we are looking forward to seeing lots of wonderful things...is there anything in particular we should keep an eye out for in early August?

Rich Stevenson		16-May-2007 00:03
Thanks again everyone. Carol, I use these sites mostly - http://2bnthewild.com/index2.shtml http://www.wncwildflowers.info/

guest		15-May-2007 20:11
wow sweet flowers!

Daisy		01-Apr-2007 21:49
I am working my way through all your galleries and each one is so amazing. Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos. Also thanks to the Greenville News for posting your website in their article on Oconee Bells.

Rich Stevenson		09-Mar-2007 21:48
Thanks falls lover! I'll be up there next week end.

falls lover		09-Mar-2007 19:37
For those interested the trail to Station Cove Falls is covered in trillium now.

Blaze		04-Mar-2007 14:47
I should have never left the beauty of the mountains. How do you ever get any rest. I can see how all this beauty must sooth you it certainly does me.

Guest		16-Feb-2007 02:34
Great job! I am in Yancey County and spend a lot of time in the outdoors. I love your site.

Guest		29-Aug-2006 18:32
How wonderful that you've taken the time to create this awesome website and share all the beauty! Very inspiring!!!

Angela		05-Aug-2006 17:58
Your photos are amazing! My husband and I are heading to the Blue Ridge area on Monday from San Diego. Your website and these photos have gotten us really excited to go. Thanks!

Donna		05-Aug-2006 17:16
The pictures are just wonderful! I have done a little of this type of photography myself, and it is quite fun! I wish that you would consider having something on your site that gives tips for photographing wildflowers, waterfalls, and other outdoor sites. Keep up the good work.

Guest		10-Jul-2006 06:11
Beautiful wildflower gallery!

Rich Stevenson		30-Jun-2006 11:51
Thanks for the kind comments, folks. Please click the thumbnails for a larger picture and common names for most of the varieties. Maybe I should put the common names in the title :)

Thom Conroy		29-Jun-2006 02:12
I found the site very informative. Excellent photos, too. I would like to know the common names of the plants where possible. Thank you very much for this site.

Guest		01-Jun-2006 19:19
Top Notch

Mary Morgan		04-Mar-2006 00:27
Wonderful picutres!!! Thanks and please always include the Common name for some of us Non-scientific types!!! Like the Trillium Erectum---we call it the Wake Robin and we have lots of them on our mt. place at Cattail Peak, Yancey County! Thanks, Mary H. Morgan Tallahassee

Linda-Lou La Voy		27-Nov-2005 07:50
i feel like i have gone on a private vacation. your gifts are like dimonds everywhere you turn. Thank you and keep up the good work. ps. i love that u have titled the flowers, falls, and in some instances, spoken about the trials and tribulations of the experiences. i like that. it makes the picture's story come more alive. Which is the obligation the photographer has to learn to convay to educate the public and become one with nature. Bravo.

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