This is a quick update to Friday’s status on The Pocket at Pigeon Mountain; things change daily during this time of year.   Read on for some changes I noticed in a trip we took down there today so my wife could see the Dutchman’s Breeches.

Jack-in-the-Pulpit – Arisaema triphyllum

• Wood Poppies – Full swing from just a few in just a few days.
• White Trillium – Many plants with partially-opened blooms.
• Jack in the Pulpit – Many plants sprouted, several with the pulpits forming and at least one nearly fully opened.
• Carolina Spring Beauties are the dominant species along the boardwalk and trail to the falls.
• Columbine – Several plants along the horse trail fully open.  Look up on the rock wall.
• Wild Blue Phlox – Widespread along the horse trail.
• Cumberland Spurge – Along the horse trail by the rock wall.
• Plantainleaf Pussytoes – Along the horse trail just past the rock passage above the top of the falls – forest side.

While still easy to find, there was significant decline in Toothwort, Bloodroot, and Hepatica.