The William Britten Gallery on Glades Rd in Gatlinburg offers the full display of my Smoky Mountains photos. Dicentra eximia © William Britten use with permission onlyīleeding Heart is a Smoky Mountains wildflower that is not often seen, and its rarity only adds to the appreciation of its beauty. The wild form of Bleeding Heart is similar but not the same as the Asian garden variety, which has larger blossoms.ĭicentra eximia is sometimes called Turkey Corn, and also Staggerweed, because of its ability to intoxicate animals that graze on it. Bleeding Heart Dicentra eximia © William Britten use with permission only Spotting this foliage is often the best way to locate these plants. Note the foliage of this wildflower, which is common to all three of the Dicentras.

Stunning Smoky Mountains Wildflower © William Britten use with permission only About halfway to the falls there is a rock wall along Arbutus Ridge. Another sure spot to find them is along Abrams Falls Trail. Look for the distinctive blooms in April. This wildflower loves to find a foothold on the rock walls that border the road. The photos on this page were all taken along Laurel Creek Rd, about a mile west of the entrance to Tremont. The word “dicentra” in Greek means “two-spurred,” and describes the unique shape of the blossoms.

The other two in this family are Dutchman’s Breeches and Squirrel Corn. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra eximia) © William Britten use with permission onlyīleeding Heart (Dicentra eximia) is the largest, rarest, last to bloom, and probably the most stunning of the Smoky Mountains Dicentras.

Wild bleeding heart/turkey corn