More Than Just a Pretty Face...
The Natchez Trace Parkway is vibrant with wildflowers starting in late winter, building to a springtime crescendo, warming through summertime, and finishing in late autumn. The wildflowers of the Parkway provide more than just beauty. They provide nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds, seeds for mice and birds, and browse for deer. They also stabilize the soil and are traditional sources of medicine--some still in use today. Please enjoy the flowers, but leave them as you found them.
Where to Look
Although you can see many wildflowers while driving along the Parkway itself, the best way to see a variety is by walking one of the trails. These trails, which take about 20 to 30 minutes to walk, stand out as some of the best. Please remember to being water and insect repellent with you.
Rock Spring, Milepost 330.2
Rock Spring has wonderful spring wildflowers, but is probably best known for the jewelweed that blooms in the summer and autumn. The jewelweed attracts migrating hummingbirds in September, so bring binoculars.
Chickasaw Village, Milepost 261.8
The Chickasaw Village prairie is being restored and maintained through a regular burning program. As a result, summer prairie flowers abound. Take a walk along the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail through the prairie. You'll find the most diversity closest to the Parkway road.
Cypress Swamp, Milepost 122.0
Cypress Swamp's moist soil provides a haven for wetland wildflower. Visit in the spring and early summer for the best variety, and keep your eyes open for herons and alligators, too.
Flower Bloom by Month at Each Location
Flower bloom is dependent on the weather. It is wamer on the Natchez end of the Parkway and the blooms there are about two weeks to a month before the Nashville end. A warm winter will put the blooms ahead of time and a cold winter will delay blooming. By the time summer rolls around, the blooming has evened off across the Parkway. If you want to know the exact dates of blooming, ask Mother Nature, not a Ranger; she surprises us, too!
We have provided a text listing of wildflowers by season. There are many online resources that will provide photos of the plants.
Definitions for plants introduced from other places in the world i.e. non-native plants
Invasive: Plants that usually do not have any or many factors that limit their spread. They often overcome and occupy the niche of native plants. Naturalized: Plants that have established themselves on this continent but generally do not completely occupy other plants' niches.
NATCHEZ to JACKSON (milepost 0 to 105)
FLOWERING TREES
Upper-story trees (tall) Red maple - clusters of small deep red flowers with long white stamens
Mid-story trees (mid-sized) Serviceberry: clusters of small white narrow five petaled flowers Chickasaw plum: white flower clusters appearing alternately on the tree branches Redbud: pink to mauve flowers Dogwood: large white flower bracts that resemble petals surround a cluster of small yellow flowers
WILDFLOWERS
Bluet: pale blue flowers with golden yellow center, 4 flattish petals per flower; slender stems; low growing plant Corn Salad: basal leaves in a rosette, opposite leaves; white flowers with five lobes on "Y" stem.
False Wild Garlic: bell shaped white to yellow flower; 5 petals; grass like leaves
Henbit: pinkish purple lobed flower, leaves with scalloped margins in horizontal clusters, square stems (Introduced)
Jonquil: daffodil look alike, occurring randomly all along the parkway as a result of old homesites (Introduced)
Buttercup: low growing, yellow flowers with yellow centers, 5 petals (mostly introduced. see January-February)
Carolina Jessamine: fragrant, yellow, trumpet shaped flowers; high growing woody vine, often covers trees and they appear to have yellow blooms
Viola (Common Violet): purple flowers and bearded spurred petals
Butterweed/Ragwort: taller plant with yellow daisy-like flowers in clusters pn long stems
JACKSON to TUPELO (milepost 105 to 266)
FLOWERING TREES
Redbud: pink to mauve flower
Red Maple: very small red flowers crowed in nearly stalkless clusters along twigs, each flower having long antenna- looking protrusions with yellow ends
WILDFLOWERS
Bluet: pale blue flowers with golden yellow center, 4 flattish petals per flower; slender stems; low growing plant
Buttercup: low growing, yellow flowers with yellow centers, 5 petals (mostly introduced. see January-February)
False Wild Garlic: bell shaped white to yellow flower; 5 petals; grass like leaves
Spring Beauty: ground cover, small white flower and pink veins, 5 petals
TUPELO to TENNESSEE STATE LINE (milepost 266 to 341)
FLOWERING TREES
Chickasaw Plum: white flower clusters appearing alternately on the tree branches
Redbud: (just starting) pink to mauve flower
Red Maple: very small red flowers crowed in nearly stalkless clusters along twigs, each flower having long antenna- looking protrusions with yellow ends
FLOWERING SHRUBS
Serviceberry: white flowers clusters appearing at the ends of the branches in sprays; 5 narrow petals; yellow centers
WILDFLOWERS
Bluet: pale blue flowers with golden yellow center, 4 flattish petals per flower; slender stems; low growing plant
Flowering Dogwood: just starting, large, white, cross-shaped blossom with yellow centers
Redbud: pink to mauve flower
Red Maple: very small red flowers crowed in nearly stalkless clusters along twigs, each flower having long antenna- looking protrusions with yellow ends
WILDFLOWERS
Bluet: pale blue flowers with golden yellow center, 4 flattish petals per flower; slender stems; low growing plant
Buttercup: low growing, yellow flowers with yellow centers, 5 petals
False Wild Garlic: bell shaped white to yellow flower; 5 petals; grass like leaves
Spring Beauty: ground cover, small white flower and pink veins, 5 petals
TUPELO to TENNESSEE STATE LINE (milepost 266 to 341)
FLOWERING TREES
Chickasaw Plum: white flower clusters appearing alternately on the tree branches
Redbud: (just starting) pink to mauve flower
Red Maple: very small red flowers crowed in nearly stalkless clusters along twigs, each flower having long antenna- looking protrusions with yellow ends
FLOWERING SHRUBS
Serviceberry: white flowers clusters appearing at the ends of the branches in sprays; 5 narrow petals; yellow centers
WILDFLOWERS
Bluet: see above
Ground Ivy: see above
Jonquil: see above
Spring Beauty: see above
Henbit: see above
TENNESSEE STATE LINE to Nashville (milepost 341 to 438)
FLOWERING TREES
Redbud: just starting; pink to mauve flower
WILDFLOWERS
Buttercup: see above
Henbit: see above
Jonquil: see above
Spring Beauty: see above
Violet: small, low growing purple flower; 5 petals, may have white or yellow center
Whitlow Grass: tiny plant; white flowers, 4 deeply lobed petals appearing like 8
NATCHEZ to JACKSON (milepost 0 to 105)
FLOWERING TREES
Black Locust: 5 unequal white petals, showy drooping clusters, very fragrant Chickasaw Plum: white flower clusters appearing alternately on the tree branches Flowering Dogwood: large, white, cross-shaped blossom with yellow centers Redbud: pink to mauve flower clusters
FLOWERING SHRUBS
Wisteria: climbing vine with large purple to blue flower clusters hanging from other trees (invasive non-native)
WILDFLOWERS
Blue Phlox: loose cluster of blue to lavender flowers, 5 petals; stem is sticky Daisy Fleabane: light purple flower with yellow center, with many narrow petals False Wild Garlic: bell shaped white to yellow flower; 5 petals; grass like leaves Henbit: pinkish purple lobed flower, leaves with scalloped margins in horizontal clusters, square stems Lyre-Leaved Sage: light blue, purple to whitish lobed flower, leaves a base of a square stem Ragwort: taller plant with yellow daisy-like flowers in clusters White Clover: clover-like leaves; small white flower heads
JACKSON to TUPELO (milepost 105 to 266)
FLOWERING TREES
Chickasaw Plum: see above. Flowering Dogwood: just starting, large, white, cross-shaped blossom with yellow centers Redbud: pink to mauve flower Red Maple: very small red flowers crowed in nearly stalkless clusters along twigs, each flower having long antenna- looking protrusions with yellow ends
WILDFLOWERS
Bluet: pale blue flowers with golden yellow center, 4 flattish petals per flower; slender stems; low growing plant Buttercup: low growing, yellow flowers with yellow centers, 5 petals False Wild Garlic: see above Ground Ivy: purple lobed flower whorled at leaf axils; scalloped leaf margins; square stems; creeping ground cover Henbit: see above Ragwort: see above Spring Beauty: ground cover, small white flower and pink veins, 5 petals Yellow Jessamine: fragrant, yellow, trumpet shaped flowers; high growing woody vine
TUPELO to TENNESSEE STATE LINE (milepost 266 to 341)
FLOWERING TREES
Chickasaw Plum: see above Flowering Dogwood: see above Redbud: see above Red Maple: see above
FLOWERING SHRUBS
Serviceberry: white flowers clusters appearing at the ends of the branches in sprays; 5 narrow petals; yellow centers
WILDFLOWERS
Bluet: see above Ground Ivy: see above Henbit: see above Jonquil: daffodil look alike, occurring randomly all along the parkway Ragwort: see above Spring Beauty: see above
TENNESSEE STATE LINE to Nashville (milepost 341 to 438)
FLOWERING TREES
Redbud: pink to mauve flower
WILDFLOWERS
Blue Phlox: see above Bluet: see above Buttercup: see above Henbit: see above Jonquil: see above Periwinkle: low evergreen plant with trailing purple-blue flowers, 5 petals; whitish star in center flower Spring Beauty: see above Violet: small, low growing purple flower; 5 petals, may have white or yellow center Whitlow Grass: tiny plant; white flowers, 4 deeply lobed petals appearing like 8
NATCHEZ to JACKSON (milepost 0 to 105)
FLOWERING TREES
Black Locust: 5 unequal white petals, showy drooping clusters, very fragrant
Flowering Dogwood: large, white, cross-shaped blossom with yellow centers
Redbud: pink to mauve flower clusters
FLOWERING SHRUBS
Honeysuckle Azalea: pinkish white flower with antenna protrusion from center
Wisteria: climbing vine with large purple to blue flower clusters hanging from other trees
WILDFLOWERS
Blue Phlox: loose cluster of blue to lavender flowers, 5 petals; stem is sticky
Daisy Fleabane: light purple flower with yellow center, with many narrow petals
False Wild Garlic: bell shaped white to yellow flower; 5 petals; grass like leaves
Henbit: pinkish purple lobed flower, leaves with scalloped margins in horizontal clusters, square stems
Lyre-Leaved Sage: light blue, purple to whitish lobed flower, leaves a base of a square stem
Ragwort: taller plant with yellow daisy-like flowers in clusters
White Clover: clover-like leaves; small white flower heads
JACKSON to TUPELO (milepost 105 to 266)
FLOWERING TREES
Flowering Dogwood: see above
Redbud: see above
Red Maple: very small red flowers crowed in nearly stalkless clusters along twigs, each flower having long antenna- looking protrusions with yellow ends
FLOWERING SHRUBS
Oak-Leaf Hydrangea: white flowers in large terminal clusters, 5 petals, large lobed leaves
Wisteria: see above
WILDFLOWERS
Bluet: pale blue flowers with golden yellow center, 4 flattish petals per flower; slender stems; low growing plant
Buttercups: low growing, yellow flowers with yellow centers, 5 petals
Wood Sorrel: yellow flowers in a flat-top cluster, 5 petals, alternate leaves with purplish markings.
NATCHEZ to JACKSON (milepost 0 to 105)
FLOWERING TREES
Magnolia: shiny, bright evergreen leaves, 6-8” white blossom appearing singly, very fragrant Mimosa: many delicate leaflets, appearing fernlike from a distance; white to light pink flowers look like a puffball
FLOWERING SHRUBS
Oak- Leaf Hydrangea: white flowers in large terminal clusters, 5 petals; large lobed leaves
WILDFLOWERS
Thistle: leaves and stem covered with spines; flowers are large purple to red blossom also with spines Verbena: dense, terminal, flat topped cluster of purple tubular flowers; leaves toothed, and lance shaped
JACKSON to TUPELO (milepost 105 to 266)
FLOWERING SHRUBS
Blackberry: white flower, 5 petals, leaves in 3’s, twigs havemany small thorns or spines Japanese Honeysuckle: climbing vine with fragrant, tubular white flowers that turn yellow with age
WILDFLOWERS
Black-Eyed Susan: larger yellow daisy-like flower with a brown-black center Daisy Fleabane: light purple flower with yellow center Evening Primrose: light pink flower, yellow center, 4 petals, flowers open late in the day Queen Anne’s Lace: leaves look feathery, like carrot leaves; flowers are terminal white umbels Ragwort: Taller, yellow daisy-like flowers in clusters Spiderwort: purple flowers, 3 petals, yellow center; linear leaves Thistle: see above Verbena: see above Vetch: compound leaves with many small leaflets opposite each other; lobed, purple flowers, vine
TUPELO to TENNESSEE STATE LINE (milepost 266 to 341)
FLOWERING TREES
Magnolia: see above
FLOWERING SHRUBS
Japanese Honeysuckle: see above Multiflora Rose: white flower clusters, 5 petals; leaves with 7-9 leaflets, twigs and thorns Privet: large bush with spray of small white flowers having 4 petals; leaves oval and opposite
WILDFLOWERS
Black-Eyed Susan: see above Oxeye Daisy: white petals, yellow center Ragwort: see above Water Parsnip: flat clusters of lacey, dull white flowers; wet, shaded areas Vetch: see above Yellow Clover: clover-like leaves; small yellow flower heads; abundant in fields
TENNESSEE STATE LINE to Nashville (milepost 341 to 438)
FLOWERING TREES
Yellow poplar: large cup-shaped, solitary flowers 6 rounded green petals (orange at base); leaves square
FLOWERING SHRUBS
Blackberry: see above Mountain Laurel: large, saucer-shaped, 5 lobed, pink flowers; evergreen, large, shaped leaves Multiflora Rose: see above
WILDFLOWERS
Blue-eyed Grass: blue to violet flower with yellow center, 6 petals; grass like leaves Blue Phlox: loose clusters of purplish flowers, 5 petals Buttercup: low growing, yellow flowers with yellow center, 5 petals Coreopsis: yellow petals with yellow centers, each petal having indention at the tips, many petals Crimson Clover one single deep red flower per stem Daisy Fleabane: see above Evening Primrose: see above Lyre-Leaved Sage: see above Oxeye Daisy: see above Ragwort: see above Vetch: see above
NATCHEZ to JACKSON (milepost 0 to 105)
FLOWERING TREES
Magnolia: shiny, bright evergreen leaves, 6-8” white blossom appearing singly, very fragrant
Mimosa: many delicate leaflets, appearing fernlike from a distance; white to light pink flowers look like a puffball
FLOWERING SHRUBS
Oak- Leaf Hydrangea: white flowers in large terminal clusters, 5 petals; large lobed leaves
Southern Elderberry: large, white flower clusters, each floret being 5 lobed; leaves large with 7-9 sharp saw-toothed leafless shiny above, pale below
Trumpet Honeysuckle: vine; trumpet-shaped flowers red outside, yellow inside; clustered in whorls
WILDFLOWERS
Black-Eyed Susan: larger yellow daisy- like flower with a brown-black center
Butterfly Weed: rounded clusters of red-orange flowers crown the top of a leafy stem; flowers have 5 petals curving down and 5 petals forming a hood
JACKSON to TUPELO (milepost 105 to 266)
FLOWERING TREES
Magnolia: see above
WILDFLOWERS
Black-Eyed Susan: see above
Butterfly Weed: see above
Queen Anne’s Lace: leaves look feathery, like carrot leaves; flowers are terminal white umbels
Vetch: compound leaves with many small leaflets opposite each other; lobed, purple flowers, vine
TUPELO to TENNESSEE STATE LINE (milepost 266 to 341)
FLOWERING TREES
Magnolia: see above
Mimosa: see above
FLOWERING SHRUBS
Mountain Ash: small, white flowers in flattened, terminal clusters; leaves have 11-17” stalkless leaflets, elliptical to oblong
Oak- Leaf Hydrangea: see above
Trumpet Honeysuckle: see above
WILDFLOWERS
Black-Eyed Susan: see above
Butterfly Weed: see above
Evening Primrose: light pink flower, yellow center, 4 petals, flowers open late in the day
Oxeye Daisy: white petals, yellow center
Queen Anne’s Lace: see above
Vetch: see above
TENNESSEE STATE LINE to Nashville (milepost 341 to 438)
FLOWERING TREES
Yellow poplar: large cup-shaped, solitary flowers 6 rounded green petals (orange at base); leaves square
FLOWERING SHRUBS
Japanese Honeysuckle: climbing vine with fragrant, tubular white flowers that turn yellow with age
Virginia Rose: white flowers in clusters, 5 petals: leaves with 7-9 leaflets, twigs with horns
Multiflora Rose: see above
WILDFLOWERS
Blue-eyed Grass: blue to violet flower with yellow center, 6 petals; grass like leaves
Buttercup: low growing, yellow flowers with yellow center, 5 petals
Coreopsis: yellow petals with yellow centers, each petal having indention at the tips, many petals
Daisy Fleabane: light purple flower with yellow center
Evening Primrose: see above
Oxeye Daisy: see above
Queen Anne’s Lace
Ragwort: yellow daisy-like flowers in clusters
Thistle: leaves and stem covered with spines; flowers are large purple to red blossom also with spinae
Vetch: see above
NATCHEZ to JACKSON (milepost 0 to 105)
FLOWERING TREES
Magnolia: shiny, bright evergreen leaves, 6-8” white blossom appearing singly, very fragrant
FLOWERING SHRUBS
Elderberry: large, white flower clusters, each floret being 5 lobed; leaves with 7-9 sharply saw-toothed leaflets; shiny above, pale below
WILDFLOWERS
Black-Eyed Susan: larger yellow daisy-like flower with a brown-black center Meadow Beauty: terminal clusters of pink flowers, 4 petals, yellow centers; leaves paired, oval, with toothed edges
JACKSON to TUPELO (milepost 105 to 266)
FLOWERING TREES
Magnolia: see above Mimosa: many delicate leaflets, appearing fernlike from a distance; white to light pink flowers look like a puffball
WILDFLOWERS
Black-Eyed Susan: see above Butterfly Weed: rounded clusters of red-orange flowers crown the top of a leafy stem; flowers have 5 petals curving down and 5 petals forming a hood Daisy Fleabane: light purple flower with yellow center Queen Anne’s Lace: leaves look feathery, like carrot leaves; flowers are terminal white umbels
TUPELO to TENNESSEE STATE LINE (milepost 266 to 341)
FLOWERING TREES
Magnolia: see above Mimosa: see above
FLOWERING SHRUBS
Japanese Honeysuckle: climbing vine with fragrant, tubular white flowers that turn yellow with age Mountain Ash: small, white flowers in flattened, terminal clusters; leaves have 11-17” stalkless leaflets, elliptical to oblong Trumpet Honeysuckle: vine; trumpet-shaped flowers red outside, yellow inside; clustered in whorls
WILDFLOWERS
Black-Eyed Susan: see above Butterfly Weed: see above Oxeye Daisy: white petals, yellow center Queen Anne’s Lace: see above
TENNESSEE STATE LINE to Nashville (milepost 341 to 438)
FLOWERING SHRUBS
Japanese Honeysuckle: see above Mountain Laurel: Large, saucer-shaped, 5 lobed, pink flowers; evergreen, large-shaped leaves Trumpet Creeper: woody vine with large, trumpet shaped, reddish-orange flowers; leaves with 7-11” oval, pointed leaflets Virginia Rose: white flowers in clusters, 5 petals: leaves with 7-9 leaflets, twigs with horns
WILDFLOWERS
Daisy Fleabane: light purple flower with yellow center Oxeye Daisy: see above (larger flower head than Fleabane) Queen Anne’s Lace: see above Ragwort: yellow daisy-like flowers in clusters Thistle: leaves and stem covered with spines; flowers are large purple to red blossom also with spines Vetch: compound leaves with many small leaflets opposite each other; lobed, purple flowers, vine White Clover: cloverlike leaves, one-single white or pinkish flower per stem
Park-wide Blooming Plants
Joe-pye - Tall plant with a head of lavender/pink flowers. Golden Rod - Tall plant with spikes of small yellow flowers - often maligned as an allergen but the pollen is large and does not readily float in the air Iron Weed - clusters of dark purple flowers Cardinal Flower - Red tubular flowers - somewhat honeysuckle shaped - grows in wet areas Heath Aster - small daisy-like flowers with yellow centers Blazing Star -Tall plant with brush-like lavender flowers Evening Primrose - yellow flowers that open at dusk Turtlehead - woodland plant with white to pinkish turtle head shaped flowers Blue Lobelia - A blue version of the cardinal flower Boneset - looks like a small shrub covered with small white flowers - delicious fragrance Aster - Small lavender daisy-like flowers with yellow centers
Park-wide Blooming Plants
Witch Hazel - native shrub - yellow multiple thin petals Spring Beauty - low growing white flower Buttercup - introduced
Park-wide Blooming Plants
Buttercups: Yellow four-petal flowers. There are species native to the Parkway area, but many species are introduced. Generally, native buttercups have narrower petals of a creamy yellow color.
Carolina Jessamine: fragrant, yellow, trumpet shaped flowers; high growing woody vine, often covers trees and they appear to have yellow blooms
Spring Beauty: Low growing with white to pink striped four-petal flowers.
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.
Visit NPSpecies for more comprehensive information and advanced search capability. Have a suggestion or comment on this list? Let us know.
You can obtain a wildflower check list by stopping by any of our Parkway visitor centers during business hours. You can also call the Parkway Visitor Center at 1-800-305-7417 or 662-680-4027 to request a copy by mail.
Our blooming flower albums will grow over time. Please check back for updates.
Description
Closures & Seasonal Exceptions
Image Gallery
Last updated: February 22, 2024
Park footer
Contact Info
Mailing Address:
2680 Natchez Trace Parkway
Tupelo,
MS
38804
Phone:
800 305-7417
The Parkway Visitor Center near Tupelo, MS, is open 9am-4:30pm seven days a week. The visitor center is closed Thanksgiving, December 25th and January 1st.
