Wildflowers

Seen in Spring

 

Atamasco lily (Zephyranthes atamasca)

March-April

You might also hear these flowers called rain, zephyr, or fairy lilies. These flowers are commonly found in bottomland forests such as Congaree, however, they are not seen in the park as often as some other flower species.

 

Piemont Azalea (Rhododendron canescens)

April-May

These light pink blooms appear in the spring, sprouting from large, woody shrubs. Native to the eastern United States, this flower may be known by a few other common names, including mountain, hoary, and southern pinxter azalea.

 

Pinkroot (Spigelia marilandica)

April-June

This perennial wildflower has a large native range, present throughout the southeast and in some of the midwestern United Sates. Its vibrant red and yellow blooms make this flower distinctive and easier to spot than others. It typically grows 1.5 to 2.5 feet tall.

 

Paw Paw (Asimina triloba)

March-April

Pawpaw is mostly known for its fruit, but did you know this tree also grows flowers each spring?

These purplish blooms may be seen throughout the bottomland forest of Congaree, as the native pawpaw trees themselves are abundant.

 

Carolina Jessamine (Gelsmium sempervirens)

March-April

The state flower of South Carolina, these colorful blooms may be seen on vines covering trees and fences. Carolina jessamine may also grow as ground cover.

 

Butterweed (Packera glabella)

March-June

This is perhaps the most abundant springtime wildflower in the bottomland forest of Congaree. It is seen most in early spring, among the first flowers to bloom each year.

Butterweed has a large native range, spanning much of the southeast and central United States.