Spring is wildflower season!  On February 28th, I hiked up Porter's Creek Trail and saw lots of early wildflowers.

Halberd-leaved Violet, Viola hastata, is one of 27 species found in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  This is one of the earliest violets to bloom.  The name "Halberd-leaved" refers to the arrowhead shape of the leaves (a halberd being a weapon consisting of an axe blade with a spike mounted on a pole).

Sharp-lobed Hepatica, Hepatica nobilis var. acuta, are just starting to bloom.  These are some of the earliest and most beautiful of the spring wildflowers.  In places they form a carpet of flowers ranging in color from white to lavender.

I was excited to see Fringed Phacelia, Phacelia fimbriata, in bloom, which I though usually bloomed later than hepatica.

I turned around at Fern Branch Falls, a beautiful waterfall that doesn't get much attention.  There were alot of ferns in this area, including walking fern, which I love!

Hepatica was everwhere!  Most of it had not quite blossomed yet, so I imagine this area is amazing by now!  I am excited to be seeing this many wildflowers in February!  There is alot more yet to come!