Large-Flowered Trillium, a native species, has been added to the USWildflowers database (08/27/2010.) Scientific name is Trillium grandiflorum. This plant also is known by the common names Great White Trillium and White Trillium. Photo below was taken near Tray Mountain in White County, Georgia on May 1, 2010.
Large-Flowered Trillium, White Trillium – Trillium grandiflorum
Vasey’s Trillium – Trillium vaseyi
Sweet Betsy, a native species, has been added to the USWildflowers.com database. Scientific name is Trillium cuneatum. This plant also goes by the common name Small Sweet Betsy and Toadshade Trillium.
Sweet Betsy – Trillium cuneatum
We made a quick trip down to The Pocket on Tuesday evening. We made a short 100-yard walk up the horse trail and took a spin around the boardwalk, so I’m unable to update the status of flowers found along the trail to the falls, but here’s what I’ve got.
Wild Blue Phlox from 04/06/2010
In summary: This will be a good weekend at The Pocket at Pigeon Mountain, especially since tomorrow is forecast to be sunny and warm, as was today.
Aquilegia canadensis - Columbine from 04/01/2010
White Trillium, aka Nodding Wakerobin and Nodding Trillium, has been added to the USWildflowers.com database. Scientific name is Trillium flexipes, so named because the blossom nods over on its pedicel.
Nodding Trillium - Trillium flexipes
For those who were hoping for, as Ed Sullivan would have put it, “A Really Big Shew,” the time has passed in 2009. However, that is relative to The Pocket, and the abundance of wildflowers still exceed what you’ll find in many areas. While the dominant flower along the Shirley Miller Wildflower Trail seems to be Sweet Cicely right now, a species that isn’t exactly ‘showy,’ several of the “signature species” could still be found on Saturday, 4/25.
Cindy and I headed down to The Pocket at Pigeon Mountain around 4:30 Friday afternoon. I knew the light would be failing on the Shirley Miller Wildflower Trail soon after we arrived, but I was committed for Saturday, and wanted to make sure I was able to make a weekly report on the wildflower status during the spring season. If you’re into watching the seed-formation process, this is a good time for you. There is still an abundance of wildflowers in The Pocket, making a trip absolutely worthwhile, but of the “signature flowers,” Virginia bluebell and wood poppy are past blooming or almost so, and the bent trillium is abundant but in decline. The dominant species in the boardwalk area is probably the wild hyacinth, with the wild geranium still providing a pink splash around much of the trail.
Joseph in the Passage
The Glen on Lookout Mountain, with the trailhead along Och’s Highway which goes from Chattanooga to Lookout Mountain, Georgia – home of Rock City – is a great place to take the grandkids. A nice trail with no really challenging sections, relatively short walk to the creek down which the water cascades (at least until the dry summer,) and that great area with high rock bluffs makes for a fun adventure without taking the entire day. Continue reading