American beautyberry is one of the most colorful native shrubs found across the South Carolina Upstate. Learn how to identify its brilliant purple berries, why wildlife depends on them, and why this easy-to-grow native deserves a closer look.
Carolina horsenettle is a native South Carolina nightshade with purple flowers, sharp prickles, and small yellow berries that resemble miniature tomatoes. Learn how to identify this common Upstate plant and why its tempting fruit should never be eaten.
Panicled tick-trefoil is a native South Carolina wildflower with delicate pink flowers, three-part leaves, and sticky seed pods that hitch rides on wildlife and hikers alike.
Discover the mushrooms hiding along the trails of Table Rock State Park. From bright orange woodland mushrooms to towering fungi and turkey tails, see some of the fascinating species you might encounter after a warm summer rain.
Devil’s Walking Stick is one of the strangest native plants hiding in the Upstate. Learn how to identify this thorn-covered tree and why it is an important part of South Carolina’s forests.
Bright pink stems and clusters of deep purple berries make American pokeweed one of the Upstate’s most eye-catching native plants. Learn how to recognize this colorful woodland species on your next hike around Table Rock State Park.
Bright red berries tucked beneath the forest canopy make partridgeberry one of the Upstate’s most overlooked native plants. Learn how to identify this evergreen groundcover and where you’re most likely to find it on trails around Table Rock State Park.
Every summer, Upstate hiking trails offer a delicious surprise. Wild blackberries ripen along trail edges, giving hikers a chance to enjoy one of nature’s sweetest rewards while exploring the outdoors. Here’s how to spot them, know when they’re ripe, and harvest responsibly.
Poison ivy is one of the most common plants in Upstate South Carolina—and one of the most misunderstood. Learn how to identify it year-round, what to do if you accidentally touch it on the trail, and the simple steps that can help prevent an itchy rash.
Discover one of Clemson’s best-kept secrets at the South Carolina Botanical Garden. Explore nearly 300 acres of scenic trails, historic buildings, peaceful ponds, native wildlife, colorful gardens, and hidden woodland treasures—all with free admission.