Plants

Reminder

Removing plants, wildlife, or any natural materials from Great Smoky Mountains National Park is prohibited without a permit, except for limited quantities of fungi and fruit as specified in the Superintendent's compendium. 

 

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 than 500 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.

 

Plant Species List

Visit NPSpecies Report Viewer for the most current list of the vascular plants in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Visit NPSpecies for more comprehensive information and advanced search capability. Have a suggestion or comment on this list? Let us know.

 

More Information

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  Wildflowers

  Learn more about wildflowers.

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  Trees and Shrubs

  Check out the full trees and shrubs checklist.

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  Blooming Shrubs

  A flowering shrub with white flowers.

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  Sochan Gathering

  Learn about the Cherokee tradition: Sochan gathering.