Purple

Purple, Violet, and Blue
Alaska Wildflowers

Close-up of a marsh skullcap (Scutellaria galericulata) in its natural habitat. This purple-flowering herb is characterized by its lanceolate leaves and erect stem, commonly found in marshy areas across the northern hemisphere.
Scutellaria galericulata
marsh skullcap

Marsh skullcap (Scutellaria galericulata) is a marsh-dwelling, purple-flowering herb in the mint family present across much of the northern hemisphere. It thrives...

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Vicia cracca 
Tufted vetch
Vicia cracca
Tufted vetch

Bird vetch (Vicia cracca), also called tufted or cow vetch, is a climbing perennial in the pea family, with one-sided racemes of...

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Photos of the pea-like flowers of Nutzotin milkvetch (Astragalus nutzotinensis), taken in the Alaska Range.
Astragalus nutzotinensis
Nutzotin milkvetch

Nutzotin milkvetch (Astragalus nutzotinensis) is a mat-forming perennial of gravelly ridges, braided stream bars, and glacier margins in eastern Alaska and northwestern...

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A close-up of a Linum lewisii (Lewis\' blue flax) flower in bloom, showcasing delicate, light blue petals with darker veins radiating from the center. The flower has a subtle yellow and white throat, with the slender green stems and linear leaves of the plant visible in the background. This perennial herb thrives in dry meadows and prairies across western North America.
Linum lewisii
Lewis’ blue flax

Linum lewisii (Lewis' blue flax) is a perennial herb with striking blue flowers and slender stems, growing from a woody base. Known...

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Tofieldia coccinea purple featherling
Tofieldia coccinea
purple featherling

Purple featherling or northern false asphodel (Tofieldia coccinea) is a small white and purple-flowering perennial herb that grows in alpine or montane...

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Pedicularis verticillata whorled lousewort
Pedicularis verticillata
whorled lousewort

Whorled lousewort (Pedicularis verticillata) is a pink to purple flowering perennial herb found in tundra meadows and muskegs. It's leaves and and...

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Cypripedium guttatum spotted lady’s slipper
Cypripedium guttatum
spotted lady’s slipper

Cypripedium guttatum, commonly known as the spotted lady's slipper, is a perennial herb in the orchid family with a unique, purple-spotted, inflated...

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The purple flower with numerous yellow stamens of the prairie pasqueflower (Pulsatilla nuttalliana)
Pulsatilla nuttalliana
prairie pasqueflower

The prairie pasqueflower (Pulsatilla nuttalliana or Anemone patens subsp. multifida) is an early-season purple-flowering perennial found across much of Alaska, Canada, and...

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Anemone multifida cutleaf anemone
Anemone multifida
cutleaf anemone

Cutleaf anemone (Anemone multifida) is a small flowering plant, variable in color (with yellow, white, or purple sepals), that frequently grows in...

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Silene uralensis apetalous catchfly
Silene uralensis
apetalous catchfly

Apetalous catchfly (Silene uralensis) is a perennial, inflated purple alpine flower that's found across Alaska, much of Canada, and some Rocky Mountain...

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Hedysarum boreale ssp. mackenziei boreal sweetvetch
Hedysarum boreale ssp. mackenziei
boreal sweetvetch

Hedysarum boreale ssp. mackenziei, a subspecies of the pea family, is notable for its purple or pink flowers and wing-margined loments. Commonly...

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The blue flowers of pale gentian (Gentiana glauca) in the White Mountain National Recreation Area, Alaska.
Pale gentian (Gentiana glauca)

Pale gentian (Gentiana glauca), sometimes known as glaucus gentian, is a small blue flower growing from a short rhizome and erect stem....

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Hoary primrose – Primula incana
Hoary primrose – Primula incana

Commonly known as the hoary primrose, silvery primrose, or mealy primrose, Primula incana is a perennial herb characterized by its small lavender-colored...

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Tall Jacob’s Ladder – Polemonium caeruleum
Polemonium acutiflorum
Tall Jacob’s ladder

Tall Jacob's ladder (Polemonium acutiflorum) is a blue or violet flowering perennial herb notable for its ladder-like leaf arrangement. Other plants in...

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Dwarf Fireweed – Chamaenerion latifolium
Dwarf Fireweed – Chamaenerion latifolium

Dwarf fireweed is a pink or purple flowering perennial forb/herb that is closely related to the more familiar common fireweed. It is...

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Pretty Jacob’s Ladder – Polemonium pulcherrimum
Pretty Jacob’s Ladder – Polemonium pulcherrimum

Beautiful Jacob's ladder, often known as pretty Jacob's ladder or showy Jacob's ladder is a blue or purple flowering plant with a...

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Scamman’s Oxytrope – Oxytropis scammaniana
Scamman’s Oxytrope – Oxytropis scammaniana

Scamman's oxytrope (Oxytropis scammaniana) is a purple or pink flowering plant that grows in rocky tundra or alpine areas. It is Native...

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Blackish Oxytrope – Oxytropis nigrescens
Blackish Oxytrope – Oxytropis nigrescens

Blackish oxytrope (Oxytropis nigrescens) is a small, purple-flowering perennial herb that grows in rocky tundra or alpine environments.

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Marsh felwort (Lomatogonium rotatum)
Marsh Felwort – Lomatogonium rotatum

Marsh felwort (Lomatogonium rotatum) is a vibrant blue or white flowering plant standing 10-30 cm tall, thriving in the moist habitats of...

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Purple bittercress – Cardamine purpurea
Purple bittercress – Cardamine purpurea

Purple bittercress (or purple cress) is a small perennial herb with densely packed, 4-petaled purple flowers, mostly found in Alaska and the...

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Fewflower fumewort – Corydalis pauciflora
Fewflower fumewort – Corydalis pauciflora

The fewflower fumewort is a blue or purple flowering plant with a cluster of showy, tubular flowers. It's found across Asia, Alaska,...

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Alpine forget-me-not – Myosotis asiatica
Alpine forget-me-not – Myosotis asiatica

The alpine forget-me-not is a tiny, true-blue flowering plant found in alpine environments. It has five fused petals with a bulging yellow...

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Little weaselsnout flower in Alaska
Little weaselsnout – Lagotis glauca

Little weaselsnout is a purple-flowering perennial herb that grows from a rhizome. The inflorescence is a terminal spike with purple or dark...

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the cuckoo flower
Cuckoo flower – Cardamine nymanii

The cuckoo flower is a pink flowering plant, often found in wet soils near ponds or streams.

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dwarf marsh violet flower
Dwarf marsh violet – Viola epipsila

The dwarf marsh violet is a small, purple flowering, hermaphroditic plant that grows to be about 10 cm (4 inches) in height.

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Nakedstem Wallflower – Parrya nudicaulis
Nakedstem Wallflower – Parrya nudicaulis

The nakedstem wallflower or parry's wallflower is native to Alaska and Northern Canada, and Asia. It has a raceme of violet, showy...

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Northern Jacob’s Ladder – Polemonium boreale
Northern Jacob’s Ladder – Polemonium boreale

Northern Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium boreale) is a small perennial herb with purple or blue flowers and hairy pinnate leaves. It is somewhat...

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Woolly Geranium – Geranium erianthum
Woolly Geranium – Geranium erianthum

The woolly geranium (or northern geranium, cranesbill) is a tall purple-flowered perennial native to Alaska, parts of Canada, and Asia. Photos and...

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Mountain harebell – Campanula lasiocarpa
Mountain harebell – Campanula lasiocarpa

Mountain harebell is a small, flowering alpine plant typically 5-15 cm (2-6 in) tall. The flower is a solitary violet upright bell...

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Bitter fleabane – Erigeron acris
Bitter fleabane – Erigeron acris

Bitter fleabane or blue fleabane is a flowering herbaceous plant with many small, purple flowers. It goes to seed like a dandelion...

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Arctic willow in the White Mountains in the Alaska interior
Arctic willow – Salix arctica

Arctic willow is a creeping dwarf shrub with catkins that are absent of sepals or petals. It is distributed throughout the arctic,...

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Flower of western arctic shootingstar in the interior of Alaska
Western arctic shootingstar – Primula frigida

The western arctic shootingstar (sometimes frigid shootingstar) has a magenta or pink flower, shaped like a dart. Identification info and story around...

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Alpine sweetvetch – Hedysarum alpinum
Alpine sweetvetch – Hedysarum alpinum

Alpine sweetvetch, often known as wild potato or eskimo potato is a perennial herb with many small pink flowers on a raceme....

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Arctic Lupine – Lupinus arcticus
Arctic Lupine – Lupinus arcticus

The arctic lupine is a purple-flowering, herbaceous plant with a raceme of pea-like flowers. It contains a neurotoxin, sparteine, thought to deter...

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Monkshood flower in Denali National Park
Monkshood – Aconitum delphiniifolium

Monkshood is a highly toxic plant with purple flowers, resembling larkspur with a purple hood over the top of the flower.

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bluebell flowers with a butterfly
Tall Bluebells – Mertensia paniculata

The tall bluebell is a plant named after the shape and color of the flower produced. The flowers form from pink buds...

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Siberian aster flower blooming in Alaska
Siberian Aster – Eurybia sibirica

Siberian aster is a purple, daisy-like flower found across the circumboreal subarctic including Alaska. The flower is composed of light 12-50 light...

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Wild Iris – Iris Setosa
Wild Iris – Iris Setosa

The flower of the wild iris is deep violet to blue 6-10 cm (2.5-4 inches) across with 2 sets of three petals....

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Purple Mountain Saxifrage flowers in rocky talus near the Black Rapids Glacier
Purple Mountain Saxifrage – Saxifraga oppositifolia

Purple mountain saxifrage is a low-growing, small, matted plant with dark green rounded and scaly leaves earning it the name French Knot....

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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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Purple flower larkspur taken on Murphy Dome in Fairbanks, Alaska
Delphinium glaucum Larkspur

Delphinium glaucum, known as tall larkspur, is a perennial herb in the buttercup family with a range of common names. Growing up...

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