Alaska Wildflowers

Alaska Wildflowers

There are over 1500 species of wildflowers in the state of Alaska. This collection only covers a small fraction of them but will grow over time. I’m working on photographing key identifying features on as many as I can over our short summers. This Alaska Wildflower Guide contains valuable information about each plant as well as references and links for further reading. Each post contains information on taxonomy, identification, plant uses and edibility, and each plant’s distribution and native habitat. The accompanying photo galleries may also be useful for wildflower identification and contain over 500 photos to date.

Northern Kittentails – Synthyris borealis
Northern Kittentails – Synthyris borealis

Northern Kittentails is a small, purple flower about 2-3 cm in diameter. They mostly grow individually in rocky, alpine areas, or in...

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Common Fireweed – Chamaenerion angustifolium
Common Fireweed – Chamaenerion angustifolium

Fireweed's common name comes from the fact that it can revegetate quickly after forest fires. Each flower is symmetrical about the vertical...

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Larkspur – Delphinium glaucum
Larkspur – Delphinium glaucum

The larkspur is a tall, single stem flowering plant that grows 3-6 ft (0.9-1.8 m) in height with spurred, purple flowers. Toxic...

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Moss campion – Silene acaulis
Moss campion – Silene acaulis

Moss campion is a cushion-like plant with 6-12mm (1/4-1/2 in) diameter, pink or whitish-pink 5-petal flowers, and 10 stamens.

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Alaska Cotton – Eriophorum
Cottongrass – Alaska Cotton – Eriophorum

Most species of Alaska cotton are between 30-60 cm (12-24 in) tall with a drooping head of cotton that is whitish in...

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Wooly lousewort – Pedicularis kanei
Woolly lousewort – Pedicularis lanata

One of the early blooming wildflowers in Alaska, this pinkish flower is frequently seen in late May or early June in the...


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