Can’t make the wildflower hike? Here are a few flowers you might see at Catawba County parks or in your back yard:
Dwarf-flowered heart leaf ginger
When you first notice this federally protected plant, you’ll see more of a pretty, white veined leaf. You have to pull back the leaves at the base to see the little brown jugs that are its flower.
You’ll see it: In rich soil, shaded areas, boggy spots and north-facing slopes.
Blooms: Spring

Lady Slipper
This showy member of the orchid family is a wildflower favorite. You’ll recognize it from its hollow pink pouch.
You’ll see it: Often at the base of a tree, particularly pines. Yellow varieties often grow near water.
Blooms: Early spring

Catesby’s trillium
Three delicate pink petals on a nodding flower with three large green leaves give this blossom a gorgeous color combination.
You’ll see it: In damp places such as creek bottoms
Blooms: Spring. The flowers are coming off their peak at Bakers Mountain Park but should be blooming well as Riverbend Park.

Pinxster wild azaleas
These are prettier versions of the ones in front yards across the Southeast
You’ll see it: In higher elevations
Blooms: Mid-spring. It ought to still be around at Riverbend Park.

Mountain Laurel
When the weather is right, these thick bushes with pink-striped flowers blanket mountainsides. The drought likely left them less abundant this year but they’ll still be common and they’ll still be beautiful.
You’ll see it: On mountainsides in higher elevations
Blooms: April and May. Some should be flowering now at Bakers Mountain

Indian pipe
An easy-to-spot flower often confused with a fungus, this stark-white wildflower is one of the most unusual you’ll find.
You’ll see it: In shaded, moist rich woods, particularly beneath pine trees
Blooms: Late May and June at both Bakers Mountain and Riverbend

Native sunflower
You’ll see it: In all kinds of soil, including compressed soil at Bakers Mountain and by the cow pasture at Riverbend.
Blooms: Late June, after the summer solstice
Pink Turtleheads
They look exactly like they sound with several waxy-looking flowers on one spike.
You’ll see it: Along stream margins
Blooms: June and July

Sensitive Briar
Called sensitive because its leaves will curl up when touched, this flower is as unusual as it is pretty.
You’ll see it: In dry dusty soil, at least where it grows near the road into Bakers Mountain.
Blooms: July

Fraser Sedge
The fuzzy white flowers look like pompoms on the green, leathery leaves. Many scientists will say it doesn’t grow below 3,000 feet but it’s in its last days – if it’s even still around – on Bakers Mountain at 1,000 to 1,200 feet.

Sources: Ranger John Sutton of Bakers Mountain Park and Ranger Lori Owenby of Riverbend Park