Natural History Wanderings

Great Smoky Mountains National Park reports

The main fall leaf season is still about a month away mid to late October, but some early color is starting to develop on a few trees. Some dogwood trees have a reddish cast that will develop into more brilliant shades in a few weeks. Other species such as red maple, sourwood, witch hobble, and sumac are also beginning to sport a few red leaves, especially on trees at higher elevations. At mid and upper elevations, the vivid red leaves of Virgina creeper vine stand out against tree trunks. Overall however, theres not much fall color to see yet — just scattered trees here and there, and their colors are still just a hint of what they’ll become in a few more weeks.

Fall wildflower displays are especially colorful now. Flowers such as purple asters, white asters, black-eyed Susans, pale jewelweed, ironweed, great blue lobelia, closed gentian, and golden rod are blooming profusely along roadsides in the park. Look for the vibrant pink, purple, and red fruits of hearts-a-bustin bushes along the edges of the forest.For fall photos and updates from the park, visit our official facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/GreatSmokyMountainsNPS