What a great day to see the awakening of spring ephemerals! The threat of rain did not encourage 6 naturalists – the weather was cool with only an occasional mist. 

There were masses of Sweet Betsy Trillium in their usual maroon dress, but there were some exceptions of tan, green and yellow. We were greeted by masses of Green and Gold plants with their yellow flowers. Foam Flowers were in various stages of developing and Mayapples carpeted the forest floor as we neared the falls. Canada and Sweet White Violets were present as was Rue Anemone. We saw a couple of Bloodroots with most of them having already gone to seed. Yellowroot with its tiny maroon flowers was in abundance in the early portion of the walk. There was also some Blue Cohosh in bloom, the Black Cohosh we found will be flowering later. We missed the flowering of Liverwort, nuts.

As we approached the falls there was a grouping of Jewled Wakerobin (Trillium simile), white petals with a red center. The Jeweled or White Wakerobin is a threatened species in NC so we were glad to be able to see the collection. At the falls there were Sweetshrubs and Paw Paws beginning to bloom. 

Lunch was at the wonderful waterfall and then we retraced our steps.

A very nice event with a great group of naturalists!