Wildflower Home Page

East Tennessee is blessed with a bounty of beautiful wildflowers. The show starts in early March and continues through early November. These flowers can be enjoyed while hiking through the woods, walking in a park, and even when traveling along the back roads and interstate highways. I have long been interested in wildflowers. I mark and date them in my field guides and then put them in a database on the computer. My "life-list" (starting from March 10, 1985) is now up to 2105 flowers from 23 states, the US Virgin Islands, Canada, Germany and Norway. I've added photos from our trips to Alaska, Arizona, California, Utah, Massachusetts, and Florida. These galleries can be found on the Search All Galleries page. A comprehensive alphabetical list of all of these flowers is found on the Wildflowers From Other States page.

Kris with Synandra in the Smoky Mountains

I like to learn about the local plants before I visit a new area of the country. As an elementary school science teacher and science outreach instructor for the American Museum of Science and Energy (see bottom of page) I enjoy passing along my love of nature to others. This website is designed to help local residents and visitors share my enthusiasm for the wildflowers that decorate the hills, mountains, and valleys of east Tennessee (see Tennessee Geology and Topography on site map). Interesting fruits, flowering trees and shrubs, and even a few non-flowering plants are also included. The site is separated into blooming seasons, colors, and growing locations to help in identification. Please note that flowering times may overlap due to type of plant, weather conditions, and elevation. Plants are listed in the galleries by season, blooming location (woodlands or roadsides), and color. "Roadsides" means that they do not grow in the woods or shady areas. However, some plants may live in both woodlands and fields. The common names and scientific names (in italics) of the flowers are written beneath each picture. In cases when I can't positively identify a flower (for instance some goldenrods and asters are very difficult to identify), only the species name is given. Most of the flowers are grouped together by family (i.e. Lily, Rose, Composite, Violet, etc.) when possible. I've added comments and facts of interest to many of the plants. This is just a small sampling of the total number of wildflowers that grow in this area. This site is a work in progress and I will add new flowers during the year. I am not a formally trained botanist, but I try to be as correct in identifying the plants as possible.

Not all the flowers we see along the roadsides and in the woods are native to this area, they are considered to be "alien" plants (marked with an asterisk *). European settlers brought many plants with them either on purpose for food or medicines or by accident, some weed seeds were brought over with animal fodder. A drive through the countryside in Europe will have many of our familiar roadside "weeds," such as Dandelions, Red Clover, Queen Anne's Lace, and Chicory. Other plants have been brought over from other countries as ornamentals or for erosion control, some of these (kudzu and Japanese honeysuckle, for example) have taken over and caused serious problems. These plants are often noxious weeds which crowd out the more desirable natives. Plants that are "alien invaders" are listed as (INN) or Invasive Non-Natives. To find them, type in "INN" in the search box on the "Search All Galleries" page. Rank 1 plants are a severe threat, they can easily invade and crowd out native plants; Rank 2 plants are considered a significant threat, they are not as much of a threat as Rank 1 plant. Plants that grow only in water, low damp areas, or along stream, river, or lake banks are marked "Aquatic."

Another reason for this site is to encourage people to protect the areas where these plants grow. For example, here in Oak Ridge there is a small cedar barrens area that was saved from development (a.k.a. destruction), the area has many unusual plants. For every strip mall, new neighborhood, or highway that is built, millions of plants fall to the bulldozer, pushing some species ever closer to the Endangered status. Never buy Trilliums or wild orchids from stores or individuals; since they take several years to grow to blooming size from seeds, it is a sure bet that the plants have been dug in the wild to be sold. Some plants (Lady's Slipper Orchids, for example) must have an accompanying soil fungus which grows on the roots. Without the fungus, the plant is unable to get enough nutrients from the soil and it will die. Please enjoy the plants in their natural setting and do not pick or dig them; leave them for others to see and allow them to go to seed for future wildflower enthusiasts to enjoy!

Tips for wildflower hikes - Click here to learn how to make your wildflower hikes more comfortable, safe, and enjoyable.

Introduction to flowers - Click here if you would like more information about flowers, their shapes, colors, and their pollinators.

Tips for identifying wildflowers - Click here for identification tips; Family names and Scientific Family names

During my wanderings through the weeds, along streamsides and lake banks, and on hiking trails, I have seen many interesting animals or their signs!

Critters I have seen while working on this site

Not all plants have flowers and some "plants" aren't plants at all!
Fantastic Fungi! and non-flowering plants Click here to see some interesting fungi, ferns, lichens, mosses, and others.

A Sampling of East Tennessee Hiking Areas

The East Tennessee area has wonderful hiking trails found in the many State Parks, National Parks, and State Natural Areas. Visit these parks throughout the year to see a variety of wildflowers.

New! Click here for a trail map of Haw Ridge: http://www.cs.utk.edu/~dunigan/fohr/hawr-c1.jpg

List of my favorite hiking areas


Piney Falls State Natural Area (topo map)	Piney River - Bowater Pocket Wilderness (map)	Great Smoky Mountains N.P. (trail map)

You can help support this website by buying my "Buds and Bugs" photos and note cards!
I have 4"x6" photo note cards and / or matted 5"x7" and 8"x10" photos for sale at:

The American Museum of Science and Energy giftshop in Oak Ridge 865-576-3200
Frozen Head State Park in Wartburg, TN
The Corner Gallery in Oak Ridge
Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center in Townsend, TN
Cedars of Lebanon State Park in Lebanon, TN

I will be selling my work at the following craft fair(s):

Oak Ridge Pilot Club Craft Fair - Nov. 21-22, 2008 at the Oak Ridge Civic Center

Contact Information:
klight10@comcast.net

New! For teachers and homeschool groups in the counties surrounding Anderson County in East Tennessee: click this link for information on Science Outreach Programs taught through the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge. I am available to teach on Thursdays and Fridays.

Last Updated: May 7, 2008

This site is dedicated to the memory of my grandmother, Isabel Harris, who sparked my interest in flowers at an early age.

I'd like to thank my son, Curtis, for his technical assistance on this site!

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