This is a rare and endangered flower that only grows in the Hiwassee River and Ocoee River corridors in Polk County, Tennessee (the southeastern most county). A friend who has seen them in various places guided me in September, 2019. If you ask the forest service about them, they are non-committal. The dangers are rafters and tubers walking on the habitat or picking the flowers. They have tried to grow them in artificial environments but impossible to duplicate the environment of the cracks and crevices in rocks. Also, the rivers are subject to rising and falling levels due to recreation demands and power generation. A search will give more information. Enjoy.
