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Great Smoky Mountains National ParkThe park is home to a wondrous diversity of life.
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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Flame azalea can be found growing on heath balds in the park.  

Did You Know?
The park’s high elevation heath balds are treeless expanses where dense thickets of shrubs such as mountain laurel, rhododendron, and sand myrtle grow. Known as “laurel slicks” and “hells” by early settlers, heath balds were most likely created by forest fires long ago.

Last Updated: July 24, 2006 at 22:37 EST