Wildflowers of the Appalachian Trail

Whether you are a weekend hiker, a long-distance trekker, a trained naturalist, or a wildflower enthusiast, Wildflowers of the Appalachian Trail is a necessary companion for anyone interested in the flora of the East’s longest trail. Along with elegant, large-format photographs, this book contains information on flower color, bloom season, size, and range of nearly one hundred species. Citations to more than sixty additional species with respect to their distinguishing features are also included. Yet this is no ordinary field guide. Not only will you be able to identify a particular flower, you will also learn the story behind its name, the fascinating role it has played through history, and its value in folkloric as well as modern medicine. You will discover that Skunk Cabbage produces its own heat (often melting snow and ice around it) and that Bloodroot contains an anti-plaque agent used in toothpastes and mouthwashes. Unlike any other resource, this book notes specific sites along the Appalachian Trail where flower species may be seen; each site mentioned can be found in the index of its respective Appalachian Trail Guide.