Shawnee National Forest's Wildflower Viewing Areas
By jan schultz on Jul 7, 2012
Arrowleaf violet (Viola sagittata). (Photo by T.G. Barnes, University of Tennessee Herbarium)
Pale purple coneflower (Echinacea pallida). (Photo by Larry Stritch)
Where to find rare native plants and flowers on the Shawnee.
Wildflower Viewing Areas are sites of high botanic interest selected by botanists for the native plants and flowers found within them. Four of these areas can be found on the Shawnee National Forest. Consider visiting these sites during your next trip to the forest. Don't forget your camera!
Bell Smith Springs Recreation Area (Hidden Springs District): Bell Smith Springs Recreation Area is a popular destination for wildflower enthusiasts, hikers, and picnickers. There are a couple of interesting trails that traverse the area allowing visitors to experience a wide variety of natural communities and marvelous geological settings, such as sandstone cliffs, a sandstone canyon, a natural bridge and a gentle stream flowing across a sandstone escarpment. Natural communities include sandstone glades; sandstone cliffs; sandstone boulders, xeric, dry, dry-mesic and mesic upland forests. More on this Wildflower Viewing Area…
LaRue Pine Hills (Mississippi Bluffs District): LaRue Pine Hills' unique characteristics dictate and support a rich biodiversity. It covers about 4.5 square miles (3,547 acres) and contains 14 natural communities including forests, swamps, ponds, wetlands, hill prairie, limestone barrens, and striking geologic features. LaRue Pine Hills supports nearly 1,200 species of vascular plants and as such is one of the country's most diverse areas within an area 4.5 square miles. More on this Wildflower Viewing Area…
Pounds Hollow Ecological Area (Hidden Springs District): Pounds Hollow Recreation Area is a popular destination for wildflower enthusiasts, hikers, picnickers, and folks who enjoy swimming and relaxing on a beach. There are two interesting trails that traverse the area allowing visitors to experience a wide variety of natural communities and marvelous geological settings, such as sandstone glades and cliffs, and a sandstone canyon with a gentle stream flowing through the canyon and into Pounds Hollow Lake. Rim Rock National Recreation Trail has a separate parking lot just west of the entrance to Pounds Hollow Recreation Area. From Rim Rock trail visitors can descend the tall cliff face by means of a staircase that takes you through a narrow pathway between giant sandstone cliffs. Natural communities include sandstone glades; sandstone cliffs; xeric, dry, dry-mesic, and mesic upland forests. More on this Wildflower Viewing Area…
Simpson Township Barrens (Hidden Springs District): Simpson Township Barrens is a unique ecological area containing several native plant communities such as limestone barrens, seeps, dry and dry-mesic upland forest, an intermittent creek drainage and support a rich diversity of plants. The limestone barrens communities are characterized by very dry, calcium rich soils that support a flora more commonly encountered on the tall grass prairies found north of the Shawnee National Forest. More on this Wildflower Viewing Area…
Contact person: Beth Shimp eshimp@fs.fed.us or (618) 658-2111.