Buffalo National River Wildflowers

Wildflowers can be seen nearly year round at Buffalo National River, but spring is the peak season. Spring rains and warm balmy days bring amazing color to the fields and roadsides of the park. In early spring many wildflowers can be found on the forest floor. Forest wildflowers such as Crested Iris (Iris spp.), Rue Anemone (Anemonella thalictroides), and Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) can be found emerging from the leaf litter along drainages and seeps. In sunrich environment of open fields and early succession habitats, the Composite Family (Compositae) is most frequent. Members of this family include Heath Aster (Aster spp.), Goldenrod (Solidaga spp.), Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia spp.), Oxeye Daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum), and Purple Cone Flower (Echinacea purpurea). Along the roadside, Chicory (Cicorium intybus) can also be observed in high densities. Whatever your objectives are in viewing wildflowers, you will not leave Buffalo National River disappointed.