Jean reports:
It was an honor to have Larry Mellichamp come from Charlotte to give us a new appreciation of our “backyard” - Wayah Bald and surrounding trails. He helped us see the diversity of fauna in this beautiful area with new eyes. The native azaleas were the focus of the trip: Rhododendron calendulaceum with its range of color from pale orange to dark red and R. arborescens with its white flowers and sweet fragrance, but as our photos show there was much else to see - and learn. And finding Ginseng at the end of the was “icing on the cake.”’
Thanks to Larry for a wonderful day in our mountains.
Photos by Karen Lawrence:
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| Beard Tongue |
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| Jack-in-the-Pulpit |
Jean's photos
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Bowman's Root, Gillenia trifoliata
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Goatsbeard, male. Aruncus dioicus
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Columbine, Aquilegia
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Carrion Flower, Smilax herbaceous
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Sweet Azalea. Rhododendron arborescens
Wayah Tapestry
Flame Azalea, Rhododendron calendulaceum
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Goatsbeard (female). Aruncus dioicus
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Ginseng, Panax quinquefolios
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Doll's Eyes, Actaea pachypoda
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Dogbane. Apocynum cannabinum
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from Kathy Stilwell
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| Putica grandiflora |
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| Viburnum cassanoides |
Tim Spira's program was held at the library in Franklin. He presented an overview of his new book, Waterfalls and Wildflowers in the Southern Appalachians. This book provides a detailed guide to 30 waterfall hikes with good to excellent seasonal wildflower viewing along with the profiles of 125 plants. It's a book you will want in your backpack as you explore the numerous waterfalls in this area. 
