Wildflowers of the Catskills

SPRING EPHEMERALS     SPRING     EARLY SUMMER     SUMMER     AUTUMN

summerwildflowerpanorama -WG

There are hundreds of species of plants in the Catskills. As early as the mid-eighteenth century botanists and horticulturalists found and catalogued some of these plants. John Bartram collected seeds and plant specimens for study and export, introducing North American plants to Europe where they were sought by wealthy estate owners and botanical gardens. Similarly, immigrants brought many non-native plants to the Catskills that have become naturalized.

We have listed with photographs many of the wildflowers commonly found in the Catskills. They are arranged by season and then color:  green – white; yellow – orange; red – pink; and purple – blue. Seasonal categories reflect earlier appearances, but many plants bloom for many weeks.

While it was not our intent to create a comprehensive list, it has grown to over 160 species. All pictures were taken by members of the CMC.  Many thanks to Linda Kukol and to Howard Raab for their numerous photo contributions. Also, special thanks to Dr. Mike Kudish and to Molly Marquand of the Catskill Native Plant Society for helping us get plant identifications right.  Contributions of photos taken in the Catskills of unlisted wildflowers are greatly appreciated.

For detailed information on any plant simply copy the scientific name, visit the Natural Resources Conservation Service website or a similar one and paste the name into the search field.

NOTE:  As you explore the Catskills, you will come across several different non-native plants. Though not all non-native plants are aggressive, those that are pose a serious threat to native species. As such, they have been targeted for monitoring and control. Take a look at the “Terrestrial Plants” link on the New York Invasive Species Information website for more about the plants and the work being done. If you would like to help, check out the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP) website. You can learn how to report invasives that you find on your hikes and other forays into the woods using iMapInvasives.

-Edited by Wendell George

NOTE:  It is illegal to harvest or remove plants from the Catskill Forest Preserve.  In addition, many plants are classified as threatened or endangered and are protected wherever they may be found. The CMC endorses Leave No Trace principles.

 

 

 

Bloodroot  (Sanguinaria canadensis)

bloodroot IMG_2382rcr_wg Bloodroot I_hr

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bunchberry  (Cornus canadensis)

bunchberry IMG_1056rcr_wgBunchberry -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dutchman’s Breeches  (Dicentra cucullaria)

Dutchman's Breeches IMG_3049rcr_wgDutchman's Britches

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dwarf Ginseng  (Panax trifolium)

Dwarf GinsengIMG_7470 - Dwark Ginseng -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foamflower  (Tiarella cordifolia)

foamflower_arfoamflower IMG_3095rcr_wg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Round-lobed Hepatica   (Hepatica americana)

Hepatica_hrIMG_3333 Round-lobed Hepatica -LKRound-leaf Hepatica -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rue Anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides)

IMG_7419 Rue Anemone -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Squirrel Corn  (Dicentra canadensis)

squirrel corn IMG_3068rcr_wgsquirrel corn IMG_3069cr_wg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Starflower  (Trientalis borealis)

starflower IMG_0925rcr_wgStarflower -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

Small White Violet or Smooth White Violet  (Viola Macloskeyi)

white violets_hrIMG_7413 Small White Violet -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wild Oats or Sessile-leaved Bellwort   (Uvularia sessilifolia)

wild oats IMG_3075rcr_wg IMG_3457 Wild Oats -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wood Anemone  (Anemone quinquefolia)

IMG_4830 Wood Anemone -WGIMG_3063 Wood Anemone -WG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coltsfoot   (Tussilago farfara)

Coltsfoot -WG IMG_3746 Coltsfoot -LKColtsfoot -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trout Lily  (Erythronium americanum)

trout lily IMG_3082rcr_wg trout lily IMG_3084rcr_wgTrout Lily -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yellow Clintonia or Bluebead Lily  (Clintonia borealis)

yellow Clintonia IMG_1052rcr_wgIMG_5140 Yellow Clintonia -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Downy Yellow Violet  (Viola pubescens)

Downy Yellow Violet -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roundleaf Violet  (Viola rotundifolia)

yellow violet IMG_3072rcr_wgyellow violet IMG_0888rcr_wg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yellow Wood Sorrel  (Oxalis stricta)

IMG_4948 Yellow Wood Sorrel -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jack-in-the-pulpit  (Arisaema triphyllum)

jack-in-the-pulpit_arIMG_3631IMG_0309

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red Trillium  (Trillium erectum)

red trillium IMG_3057rcr_wg Red Trillium -LKIMG_7486 Red Trillium, White Variety -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Painted Trillium  (Trillium undulatum)

painted trillium IMG_3118rcr_wgIMG_3783 Painted Trillium -LK Red Trillium -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring Beauties  (Claytonia caroliniana)

spring beauties IMG_0875cr_wgSpring Beauties -LKIMG_7490 Spring Beauties -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two-leaf Toothwort or Crinkleroot (Cardamine diphylla)

IMG_7450 Two-leaf Toothwort -LKIMG_7451 Two-leaf Toothwort -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blue Cohosh  (Caulophyllum thalictroides)

Blue Cohosh -LK Blue Cohosh -LKIMG_5176 Blue Cohosh -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_3948 Blue Cohosh -WG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blue Violet  (Viola sororia and/or Viola cucullata)

blue violets IMG_0927rcr_wgBlue violet I_hrBlue Violet -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marsh Blue Violet   (Viola cucullata)

Marsh Blue Violet -LKIMG_7844 Marsh Blue Violet -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ground Ivy or Gill-over-the-ground  (Glechoma hederacea)

Ground Ivy -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) –  toxic to eat

from NPS – locally taken image welcomed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

False Hellebore  (Veratrum viride)  – highly toxic

false hellebore IMG_3059rcr_wgIMG_8040 False Hellebore -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ramps (Wild Leeks)  (Allium tricoccum)

IMG_4823 Ramps -WGramps (wild leeks) IMG_3054rcr_wg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wild Ginger  (Asarum canadense)

IMG_7542 Wild Dinger -LKWild Ginger_hrWild Ginger -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPRING

 

 

Aniseroot or Long-styled Sweet Cicely  (Osmorhiza longistylis)

IMG_7623 Aniseroot -LKIMG_7625 Aniseroot -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red Baneberry  (Actaea rubra)

IMG_3650 Red Baneberry -LKRed Baneberry -LKIMG_4278 IMG_4278 -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

White Baneberry or Doll’s Eyes  (Actaea pachypoda)

IMG_5009 White Baneberry (Doll's Eyes) -LKWhite Baneberry -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canada Mayflower  (Maianthemum canadense)

IMG_3935 Canada Mayflower -LKIMG_5139 Canada Mayflower - LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wild Strawberry  (Fragaria virginiana)

Common Strawberry -LKCommon Strawberry -LKIMG_1154 Common Strawberry -WG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Downy Serviceberry  (Amelanchier arborea)

Downy Serviceberrry -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Early Saxifrage  (Saxifraga virginiensis)

IMG_3577 Early Saxifrage -LKIMG_3578 Early Saxifrage -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

False Solomon’s Seal (Smilacina racemosa)

IMG_7937 False Solomon's Seal -LKFalse Solomon's Seal -LKIMG_5256 False Solomon's seal -LK

 

 

 Flowering Dogwood  (Cornus florida)

Flowering Dogwood -LKFlowering Dogwood -LK

 

 

 

Garlic Mustard  (Alliaria petiolata)

 IMG_4899 Garlic Mustard -WGIMG_4901 Garlic Mustard -WG

 

 

 

Hobblebush  (Viburnum lantanoides)

IMG_3495 Hobblebush - LK IMG_3738 Hobblebush -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_5379 Hobblebush -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smooth Solomon’s Seal  (Polygonatum biflorum)

Smoothe Solomon’s Seal -HRIMG_5306 Smooth Solomon's Seal -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

Twoleaf Miterwort or Bishop’s Cap  (Mitella diphylla)

IMG_3654c Miterwort -LKMiterwort -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

White (Canada) Violet  (Viola canadensis)

white violet IMG_3081rcr_wg

 

 

 

 

 

Wild Sarsaparilla   (Aralia nudicaulis)

IMG_3942 Wild Sarsaparilla -LK IMG_3943 Wild Sarsaparilla -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barren Strawberry  (Waldsteinia fragarioides)

IMG_8049 Barren Strawberry -LKIMG_8050 Barren Strawberry -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canadian Dwarf Cinquefoil  (Potentilla canadensis)

IMG_7946 Canadian Dwarf Cinquefoil -LKCanadian Dwarf Cinquefoil -WG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Dandelion  (Taraxacum officinale)

Dandelion -WGIMG_3159 Dandelion -WG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Winter Cress or Yellow Rocket   (Barbarea vulgaris)

IMG_3748 Common Winter Cress -LKIMG_3748cr Winter Cress -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Golden Alexanders  (Zizia aurea)

IMG_3948 Golden Alexanders -LK Golden Alexanders - LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Golden Ragwort   (Senecio aureus)

IMG_4905 Golden ragwort -WGGolden Ragwort -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hooked Buttercup or Hooked Crowfoot  (Ranunculus recurvatus)

IMG_7914 Hooked Buttercup -LK IMG_7915 Hooked Buttercup -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marsh Marigold or Cowslip  (Caltha palustris)

IMG_7842 Marsh Marigold -LKMarsh Marigold -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mayapple or Mandrake  (Podophyllum peltatum)

Mayapple - LKMayapple -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rough-fruited Cinquefoil  (Potentilla recta)

IMG_5105 Rough-fruited Cinquefoil -LKIMG_5106 Rough-fruited Cinquefoil -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eastern Red Columbine  (Aquilegia canadensis)

Wild colombine -HRIMG_3278 Wild Columbine -WG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fringed Polygala or Gaywings  (Polygala paucifolia)

IMG_7733 Fringed Polygala -LKFringed Polygala -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pink Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium acaule)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ragged Robin  (Lychnis flos-cuculi)

IMG_3899 Ragged Robin -LK Ragged Robin -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rosy Twisted-stalk  (Streptopus roseus)

Rose Twisted-stalk -LK Rose Twisted-stalk -LKFalse Solomon's Seal - LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wild Geranium or Spotted Geranium (Geranium maculatum)

Wild Geranium -LKIMG_7604 Wild Geranium -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bird’s-eye Speedwell  (Veronica Chamaedrys)

IMG_3856 Bird's-eye Speedwell -WGBird's-eye Speedwell -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bluets  (Houstonia caerulea)

Bluets -LKIMG_7628 Bluets -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robin’s Plantain  (Erigeron pulchellus)

IMG_7964 Robin's Plantain -LKIMG_7963 Robin's Plantain -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wild Blue Phlox or Wild Sweet William  (Phlox divaricata)

IMG_7564 Wild Blu Phlox -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EARLY SUMMER

 

Black Raspberry   (Rubus occidentalis)

IMG_1079 Black Raspberry - WG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bladder Campion  (Silene vulgaris)

IMG_4087 bladder campion -LKbladder campion -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Blackberry  (Rubus allegheniensis)

IMG_1080 Blackberry -WGcommon blackberry -LKIMG_2595 Blackberry -WG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Chickweed  (Stellaria media)

Star Chickweed -LK IMG_4906 Star Chickweed -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indian Cucumber Root  (Medeola virginiana)

Indian Cucumber Root -LKIndian Cucumber Root -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lowbush Blueberry  (Vaccinium angustifolium)

IMG_1115 Lowbush Blueberry -WGLowbush Blueberry -LK

 

 

Mountain Laurel  (Kalmia latifolia)

Mountain Laurel -LK IMG_1083 mountain laurel -WGIMG_1126 mountain laurel -WG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora)

Multiflora Rose -WGMultiflora Rose -WGMultiflora Rose

 

 

 Northern Dewberry  (Rubus flagellaris or Rubus hispidus)

IMG_4401 Northern Dewberry -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Partridgeberry  (Mitchella repens)

Partridge berry flowers -HRIMG_5303 Partridge berry -LK

 

 

 

Red Raspberry  (Rubus strigosus)

Red Raspberry -WG Red Raspberry -WGIMG_3412

Tall Meadow Rue  (Thalictrum polygamum)

IMG_4265 Tall Meadow Rue - LKIMG_4262 Tall Meadow Rue -LKIMG_4995 Tall Mountain Rue -WG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Virginia Waterleaf  (Hydrophyllum virginianum)

Virginia waterleaf -HRVirginia Waterleaf -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greater Celandine  (Chelidonium majus)

IMG_3184 Greater Celandine -WGGreater Celandine -LK

 

 

Moneywort or Creeping Jenny  (Lysimachia nummularia)

Moneywort -WG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yellow Sweet Clover  (Melilotus officinalis)

Yellow Sweet Clover -WG Yellow Sweet Clover -LK

 

 

 

 

 

Musk Mallow   (Malva moschata)

Cut-leafed Cranesbill -WGIMG_3981 Cut-leafed Cranesbill -WG

 

Common Milkweed   (Asclepias syriaca)

Common Milkweed -LK Common Milkweed -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Wild Rose or Virginia Rose (Rosa virginiana)

Wild (Virginia) Rose -WG IMG_4400 Wild (Virginia) Rose -WG

 

 

 

 

 

Dame’s Rocket  (Hesperis matronalis)

IMG_3906 Dame's Rocket -LK IMG_3903 Dame's Rocket -LKIMG_3902 Dame's Rocket -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Herb Robert   (Geranium robertianum)

IMG_5013 Herb Robert -LK Herb Robert -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pinxter  (Rhododendron prinophyllum)

Pinxter -WG Pinxter -DF

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purple-Flowered Raspberry  (Rubus odoratus)

Purple Flowered Raspberry -WGPurple Flowered Raspberry -WGIMG_5002 Purple-flowering Raspberry -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red Clover  (Trifolium pratense)

IMG_4366 Red Clover -WG Red Clover -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Wood Sorrel  (Oxalis montana)

Wood SorrelWood Sorrel -LK

 

Blue-eyed Grass  (Sisyrinchium angustifolium)

IMG_4408 Blue-eyed Grass -LKIMG_0940 Blue-eyed Grass -WG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blue Flag  (Iris versicolor)

PICT1343 Blue Flag -WGBlue Flag -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heal-all  (Prunella vulgaris)

Heal-all -WGIMG_4257 Heal-all -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Viper’s Bugloss  (Echium vulgare)

IMG_3276 Echium vulgare -WG IMG_4884 Echium vulgare -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMER

 

Arrow-leaved Tearthumb  (Polygonum sagittatum)

IMG_4803 Arrow-leaved Tearthumb -LK Arrow-leaved Tearthumb -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bouncing Bet   (Saponaria officinalis)

IMG_4583 Bouncing Bet -LK IMG_4891 Bouncing Bet -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daisy Fleabane  (Erigeron annuus)

Daisy Fleabane -LKDaisy Fleabane -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indian Pipe  (Monotropa uniflora)

IMG_3405 Indian Pipe -WGIMG_3392 Indian Pipe - WG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ox-eye Daisy  (Leucanthemum vulgare)

DCF 1.0 Oxeye Daisy -WGOxeye Daisy -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pearly Everlasting  (Anaphalis margaritacea)

IMG_4630 Pearly Everlasting -LKPearly Everlasting -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Queen Anne’s Lace  (Daucus carota)

IMG_5100 Queen Anne's Lace -LK Queen Anne's Lace -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turtlehead  (Chelone glabra)

IMG_5132 Turtlehead - LKIMG_4834 Turtlehead -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yarrow  (Achillea millefolium)

PICT1358 Yarrow -WGYarrow -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Virgin’s Bower or Devil’s Darning Needles  (Clematis virginiana)

IMG_4819 Virgin's Bower -LK IMG_4821 Virgin's Bower -LKIMG_4611 Virgin's Bower Clematis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agrimony  (Agrimonia gryposepala)

IMG_4924(1) - Agrimony -LKIMG_4927 Agrimony -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Birdsfoot Trefoil  (Lotus corniculatus)

PICT1330 Birdsfoot Trefoil -WG  Birdsfoot Trefoil -LK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black-eyed Susan  (Rudbeckia hirta)

IMG_5036 Black-eyed Susan -LKBlack-eyed Susan -LK

 

 

Butter-and-eggs  (Linaria vulgaris)