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.

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.