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Spruce-fir forests can be found on the peaks of the Smokies.
K. Plaas
A Temperate Rainforest
Why the Smokies are special
Many visit the Smokies for the mountains, but the true inspiration for this National Park lies in its diversity of life—especially its plants. From towering trees to carpets of wildflowers, the Smokies form a living mosaic of ecosystems. Variations in elevation, rainfall, temperature, and geology create a wide range of habitats that support more than 2,200 plant species. Among these are over 1,650 flowering plants, along with 100 native trees and more than 100 native shrubs.
The Smokies are not only a haven for flowering plants but also a global hotspot for non-flowering species. The park hosts more than500 species of bryophytes—non-vascular plants such as mosses, liverworts, and hornworts—that thrive in cool, moist environments. It is also home to 55 species of ferns and 13 species of fern allies, including one species of horsetail.
This incredible diversity is possible because the Smokies are part of a unique ecosystem—a temperate rainforest.
What is a temperate rainforest?
A temperate rainforest is a cool, mid-latitude forest that receives abundant rainfall year-round and supports lush, layered vegetation. Unlike tropical rainforests, these forests have mild temperatures and distinct seasons, with cool winters and warm summers.
In the Great Smoky Mountains, heavy rainfall and dense vegetation often create a misty, smoke-like haze—giving the park its name. Lower elevations receive about 55 inches of precipitation annually, while higher elevations can get around 85 inches.
A cove hardwood forest with a blanket of wildflowers.
K. Plaas
Tulip tree.
Kenzie Connor
Virginia bluebells.
Kenzie Connor
Maidenhair fern.
Warren Bielenberg
Threats to Plants
Plant life in the Smokies faces multiple threats. Changing environmental conditions caused by human activity and illegal poaching put many species at risk. In addition, non-native and invasive species introduced to the park pose a serious challenge to native ecosystems. These exotic plants often thrive because they lack natural controls such as predators or diseases, allowing them to outcompete native species for space and resources. Of the more than 380 non-native species identified in the park, 35 spread aggressively and can dominate natural landscapes, sometimes even cross-pollinating with native plants and threatening their genetic integrity. Some of the most damaging invaders include kudzu, mimosa, princess tree, multiflora rose, Japanese grass, Japanese spirea, bush honeysuckle, and garlic mustard.
Rare and endangered plants
Two federally listed threatened (T) and endangered (E) plant species call the Smokies home: spreading avens (E) and Virginia spiraea (T). Beyond these, more than 300 native vascular plant species are considered rare. Once one of the park’s most common trees, the American chestnut has almost completely disappeared due to chestnut blight, a devastating fungal disease. Nearly 200 of the park’s 500+ non-vascular plants are also considered rare. In total, 76 plant species within the park are listed as threatened or endangered in Tennessee and North Carolina.
The park's vegetation management team works to protect and restore historic apple orchards to preserve their cultural significance.
NPS
Vegetation Management
Vegetation managers and scientists in Great Smoky Mountains National Park monitor habitats, restore disturbed areas, and replant native species. A major focus is controlling invasive plants that displace native vegetation and disrupt ecosystems, using manual removal, selective herbicides, and prevention strategies. They also combat pests and diseases threatening native trees through Integrated Pest Management, which blends mechanical, cultural, and chemical methods to protect species like eastern hemlocks from destructive insects such as the hemlock woolly adelgid. Restoration projects aim to return altered landscapes to their natural state by collecting native seeds and reintroducing them to areas like Cades Cove and Gregory Bald, preserving biodiversity, sustaining nutrient cycles, and showcasing the beauty of Appalachian ecosystems for future generations.
How can you help protect plants?
You can make a difference both in the Smokies and in your own backyard.
In the Smokies:
Stay on designated trails and follow Leave No Trace principles. These simple actions help safeguard the rich biodiversity that makes the Smokies so special.
At Home:
Landscape with native plants from your region. Native species preserve biological diversity, celebrate our natural heritage, and are better adapted to local conditions, often requiring less water, fertilizer, and pesticides. They also provide essential food and shelter for wildlife, including butterflies and migrating songbirds.
Learn about the Cherokee tradition: Sochan gathering.
Species List
In the drop-down menu next to “select a species category”, select Vascular Plants to explore a comprehensive species list for the Smokies. This list, organized by plant family, provides information about each species, including its scientific name and common name(s). You’ll also find data on abundance (Abd) within the park, typical elevation range (ER), and bloom periods (BLOOM) for flowering plants, which can vary by elevation. Additionally, the list notes each plant’s growth form (LF) —such as tree, fern, or vine —and confirms whether the species occurs in the park (P).
Species Attribute Definitions
Definitions
Occurrence
Occurrence values are defined below. One or more Occurrence Tags may be associated with each Occurrence value.
Present: Species occurs in park; current, reliable evidence available.
Probably Present: High confidence species occurs in park but current, verified evidence needed.
Unconfirmed: Species is attributed to park but evidence is weak or absent.
Not In Park: Species is not known to occur in park.
Occurrence Tags
Adjacent: Species is known to occur in areas near to or contiguous with park boundaries.
False Report: Species was reported to occur within the park, but current evidence indicates the report was based on misidentification, a taxonomic concept no longer accepted, or other similar problem of error or interpretation.
Historical: Species' historical occurrence in park is documented. Assigned based on judgment as opposed to determination based on age of the most recent evidence.
Abundance
Abundant:
Animals: May be seen daily, in suitable habitat and season, and counted in relatively large numbers.
Plants: Large number of individuals; wide ecological amplitude or occurring in habitats covering a large portion of the park.
Common:
Animals: May be seen daily, in suitable habitat and season, but not in large numbers.
Plants: Large numbers of individuals predictably occurring in commonly encountered habitats but not those covering a large portion of the park.
Uncommon:
Animals: Likely to be seen monthly in appropriate habitat and season. May be locally common.
Plants: Few to moderate numbers of individuals; occurring either sporadically in commonly encountered habitats or in uncommon habitats.
Rare:
Animals: Present, but usually seen only a few times each year.
Plants: Few individuals, usually restricted to small areas of rare habitat.
Occasional:
Animals: Occurs in the park at least once every few years, varying in numbers, but not necessarily every year.
Plants: Abundance variable from year to year (e.g., desert plants).
Unknown: Abundance unknown
Nativeness
Native: Species naturally occurs in park or region.
Non-native: Species occurs on park lands as a result of deliberate or accidental human activities.
Unknown: Nativeness status is unknown or ambiguous.
List Differences
The Checklist contains only those species that are designated as "present" or "probably present" in the park.
The Full List includes all the checklist species in addition to species that are unconfirmed, historically detected, or incorrectly reported as being found in the park. The full list also contains species that are "in review" because their status in the park hasn't been fully determined. Additional details about the status of each species is included in the full list.
The checklist will almost always contain fewer species than the full list.
