This is the Blue Ridge Parkway Wildflower Report for early May 2010. As the days get longer and temperatures warm up the forest floor and tree tops are beginning that annual transition to bright green.

Look for Spring Beauty and Mayapple, early arrivals of the spring, as you walk Parkway trails or look in the moist areas in the mid-elevations from the car. Bloodroot is showy in many areas along with Trillium and a few early Fire Pink.

Some Pink Azalea, known locally as Pinxter, is in bloom along with the first blazing orange Flame Azalea. Not far behind this will come those great May blooms that include more Flame and Pink Azalea and of course Mountain Laurel. A few Dogwood and Redbud are still in bloom in many areas along with some Magnolia.

Regular updates for color reports will be posted to our web site home page. You can also use the National Park Service information line at 828-298-0398 to keep informed of what’s being reported on the Parkway.

Have a safe Parkway visit! Enjoy the view, but watch the road.