Solomon’s Plume – Native Plant of the Day 04/13/2020
Photo from April 20, 2016. Location: Chestnut Top Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
More photos / info at the Maianthemum racemosum detail page.
False Solomon’s Seal, Solomon’s Plume – Maianthemum racemosum
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
I know two weeks ago I said this would likely be the first year in 10 that I haven’t reported on the wildflowers blooming at The Pocket due to travel plans, other activities, and weather. Well, the Coronavirus cancelled some travel plans and other activities, and we had a brief respite from the rain today, so Cindy and I took a spin down to The Pocket.
Virginia Bluebells – Mertensia virginica
After 10 years of reporting on the wildflower bloom status at The Pocket on Pigeon Mountain, this year may be the first that I don’t get down there during the spring ephemeral season. Weather, travel, and other interests have conflicted with my available time, so unfortunately those of you who have counted on the reports from USWildflowers.com to determine your trip schedule are going to be disappointed. Sorry!
It should be noted that Hog Jowl Road is closed between Davis Crossroads and The Pocket. You’ll need to get to W. Cove Rd – via Akins Rd if coming from the east, or staying to the right before crossing the ridge past Coulter Cemetery if coming from the north. Turn left onto Andrews Lane, then right back onto Hog Jowl.
As a status update, however, Richard T. Ware of the Georgia Botanical Society and a man whose botany and photography skills I greatly admire, made a trip down there (“up there” for him) this past Sunday, March 1, and his report implies NOW would be a good time to make a visit, with photos of Hepatica, Bloodroot, Trout Lily, Spring Beauty, Virginia Bluebells, Harbinger of Spring, Toothwort, Dutchman’s Breeches, and Star Chickweed. Below is a link to his Facebook photo album (click on the word “comment” to get to Facebook to see his full album.)
Common Blue Violet – Native Plant of the Day 03/01/2020
Photo from 03/21/2009. Location: The Pocket, Walker County, GA.
More photos / info at the Viola sororia detail page.
Common Blue Violet – Viola sororia
Harbinger of Spring – Native Plant of the Day 02/07/2020
Photo from 02/07/2009. Location: The Pocket, Walker County, GA.
More photos / info at the Erigenia bulbosa detail page.
Harbinger-of-Spring, Pepper and Salt – Erigenia bulbosa
Gray Beardtongue – Native Plant of the Day 05/07/2019
Photo from 05/04/2009. Location: The Pocket at Pigeon Mountain, Walker County, GA.
More photos / info at the Penstemon canescens detail page.
Eastern Gray Beardtongue – Penstemon canescens
Clayton Webster, leader of the Over the Hill Hiking Group (OHHG), contacted me a couple of days ago with an invitation to join their group on their visit to The Pocket, so even though it had only been a few days, I went on down there to meet up with this great group. We covered The Pocket very thoroughly, visited the Martin Davis house, and took a drive over to visit the Blue Hole area of Pigeon Mountain. The day was a success, not only because of the great group, but also I managed to find several species that I missed on Saturday.
The Over the Hill Hiking Group “Better Half”
Partly sunny and warm (70+ degrees) – a great time to check on the bloom status at The Pocket. I was expecting the Bent White Trillium and the Crested Dwarf Iris to be blooming, and they did not disappoint. I was also expecting the Little Sweet Betsy to be blooming, and as I walked north of the parking lot and around the boardwalk, I thought I would be shut out on that account, but along the Pocket Creek Trail heading toward the camping area they were in full swing, so no surprises on the Trillium front. However, there was a surprise – alongside one of those blooming Little Sweet Betsy there was a Southern Stoneseed. I had not seen that plant on this side of the mountain. Overall I identified 41 species this visit, not counting some of the invasives around the parking lot such as Purple Deadnettle and Common Chickweed.
Southern Stoneseed – Lithospermum tuberosum
Virginia Bluebell – Native Plant of the Day 03/26/2019
Photo from 04/02/2008. Location: The Pocket, Walker County, Ga.
More photos / info at the Mertensia virginica detail page.
Virginia Bluebells – Mertensia virginica