Finally a day with no rain, so Cindy and I took another drive to The Pocket, where (other than passing on the boardwalk) we could continue to “social distance.” On the boardwalk we, along with most of the others who were there, would pass back-to-back.

While a few species from last week were missing – Trout Lily, Dutchman’s Breeches, and Hepatica were gone – there were a number added this week – White Baneberry (Doll’s Eyes), Woodland Stonecrop, and (most exciting one for me) Lanceleaf Trillium were the standouts of the new species, even thought the Bent White Trillium probably dominated the bloom.

Bent White Trillium – Trillium flexipes

Note that there is a bridge being replaced on Hog Jowl Road between David Crossroads and The Pocket Road, so coming from Chattanooga, turn right on West Cove Road at the beginning of the big curve that takes 193 over the ridge, follow W. Cove to Andrews Lane, where you’ll turn left as indicated by the “Hog Jowl Rd Detour” signs. Andrews Lane joins Hog Jowl just north of The Pocket Rd. If you’re coming from the Lafayette direction, drive through David Crossroads on 193, and follow the detour signs at Akins Road.

What’s blooming:

• • Virginia Bluebell (Mertensia virginica) – Declining but still abundant.
  • Cutleaf Toothwort (Cardamine concatenata) – Only a few left.
  • Carolina Spring Beauty (Claytonia caroliniana) – Just a few scattered around.
  • Star Chickweed (Stellaria pubera) – Still plentiful but harder to find.
  • Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) – Just past peak.
  • False Garlic (Nothoscordum bivalve) – Plentiful.

False Garlic – Nothoscordum bivalve

• Bellwort (Uvularia grandiflora) – Plentiful, but in decline.
• Rue Anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides) Plentiful.
• Long-spurred Violet (Viola rostrata) – Plentiful.
• Canada Violet (Viola canadensis) – Plentiful.
• Smooth Yellow Violet (Viola pubescens) – Plentiful.
• Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia) – Many.
• Wood Poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum) – A few left.
• Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) – Peak; magnificent.
• Plantain-leaf Pussytoes (Antennaria plantaginifolia) – Along the rim near the top of the falls.
• Trailing Trillium (Trillium decumbens) – Many.
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• Sweet Betsy (Trillium cuneatum) – Peak.
• Bent White Trillium (Trillium flexipes) – Peak.
• Redbud (Cercis canadensis) These are beautiful all around the valley.

Woodland Stonecrop – Sedum ternatum

• Purple Phacelia (Phacelia bipinnatifida) – Peak.
• Robin’s Plantain (Erigeron pulchellus) – Peak.
• Wild Blue Phlox  (Phlox divaricata) –  Becoming plentiful.
• Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) – Many, especially along the Loop Trail up to the falls.
• Violet Wood Sorrel (Oxalis violacea) – Plentiful.
• Roundleaf Ragwort (Packera obovata) – Many.
• Heartleaf Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) – Peak.
• Bishop’s Cap (Mitella diphylla) – Many along the trail to the creek.
• Jack in the Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) – Quite a number both along the boardwalk and the trail to the falls.
• Dwarf Crested Iris (Iris cristata) – Many blooming along the Pocket Loop Trail to the falls.
• Meadow Parsnip (Thaspium barbinode) – Just in front of peak.

Additions this week:

• • • Cumberland Spurge (Euphorbia mercurialina) – The road up to the top of the falls has been rebuilt, reducing the number of these and several other plants that are difficult to find.
    • Woodland Stonecrop (Sedum ternatum) – Just before peak.
    • Wild Hyacinth (Camassia scilloides) – Just starting; most plants with buds.
    • Yellow Mandarin (Prosartes lanuginosa) – Many plants blooming.
    • Bear Corn (Conopholis americana) – Peak – if you can call it that.
    • White Baneberry (Actaea pachypoda) – Many plants blooming.
    • Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) – A few trees just starting to bloom.
    • Lanceleaf Trillium (Trillium lancifolium) – These little Trilliums are delightful – and at peak.
    • Buttercup (Ranunculus sp.)

Lanceleaf Trillium – Trillium lancifolium