Grand Floral Parade - Wildflowers along the Appalachian Trail

Latin name: Iris verna
Flower: In many ways it resembles its larger domesticated relative. The three petals range from deep to pale purple with the three sepals being a little larger and of the same color with a yellow-orange spot at their base.
Average bloom season: March to May
Leaves and stems: The narrow, pointed, grasslike leaves of three to twelve inches grow on a stem of only two to five inches in height.
Range in AT states: Georgia to southern Pennsylvania
Most likely AT locations: Between Springer Mountain and Neel's Gap in Georgia; near the James River and in Bear Wallow Gap in central Virginia.

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