Species library

Field marks, habits, and camera tips for the wildlife that visits backyard habitats.

diamond-flowers

diamond-flowers

Stenaria nigricans

The Diamond-flower is a resilient gem of the American prairie, turning harsh, rocky barrens into shimmering carpets o...

Wildflowers
downy lobelia

downy lobelia

Lobelia puberula

A late-season jewel of the American South, Downy Lobelia stands tall with velvety stems and striking blue-violet bloo...

Wildflowers
downy rattlesnake plantain

downy rattlesnake plantain

Goodyera pubescens

The crown jewel of the forest floor, the downy rattlesnake plantain features stunning 'snake-skin' leaves that stay g...

Wildflowers
Downy Skullcap

Downy Skullcap

Scutellaria incana

A midsummer gem of the North American woods, the Downy Skullcap dazzles with velvety silver stems and striking purple...

Wildflowers
Dwarf Fireweed

Dwarf Fireweed

Chamaenerion latifolium

The 'River Beauty' of the north, Dwarf Fireweed is a resilient pioneer that paints the rocky Arctic and alpine landsc...

Wildflowers
Early Dog-violet

Early Dog-violet

Viola reichenbachiana

An elegant purple herald of the spring equinox, the Early Dog-violet thrives in the dappled shade of ancient woods. I...

Wildflowers
Early Forget-me-not

Early Forget-me-not

Myosotis ramosissima

One of the first splashes of color in the spring, the Early Forget-me-not is a tiny but resilient wildflower. Its sky...

Wildflowers
fall phlox

fall phlox

Phlox paniculata

A quintessential star of the summer garden, Fall Phlox offers vibrant clusters of fragrant blooms that act as a magne...

Wildflowers
false rue anemone

false rue anemone

Enemion biternatum

A delicate harbinger of spring, the False Rue Anemone paints the forest floor in stars of white before the trees even...

Wildflowers
Fendler's Hawkweed

Fendler's Hawkweed

Hieracium fendleri

With its shaggy, silver-haired leaves and bright yellow blooms, Fendler’s Hawkweed is a resilient gem of the Western ...

Wildflowers
field chickweed

field chickweed

Cerastium arvense

Adorning meadows and rocky edges with delicate white stars, field chickweed is a hardy native beauty that signals the...

Wildflowers
Field Cow-wheat

Field Cow-wheat

Melampyrum arvense

A rare gem of the meadow, the Field Cow-wheat dazzles with its vibrant purple plumes and complex parasitic lifestyle....

Wildflowers
field forget-me-not

field forget-me-not

Myosotis arvensis

A delicate herald of spring, the field forget-me-not paints the landscape with tiny, sky-blue stars. Though modest in...

Wildflowers
Field madder

Field madder

Sherardia arvensis

A delicate, star-flowered gem often hidden in plain sight, field madder brings a splash of lilac to garden borders an...

Wildflowers
field mustard

field mustard

Brassica rapa

A burst of golden sunshine in early spring, Field Mustard is a hardy wildflower that serves as a bustling airport for...

Wildflowers
field thistle

field thistle

Cirsium discolor

A towering icon of the American prairie, the Field Thistle is a silver-lined sanctuary for songbirds and butterflies....

Wildflowers
firecracker penstemon

firecracker penstemon

Penstemon eatonii

A burst of scarlet in the desert sun, the firecracker penstemon is nature's favorite hummingbird magnet. Its brillian...

Wildflowers
foxglove beardtongue

foxglove beardtongue

Penstemon digitalis

A towering favorite of hummingbirds and bumblebees, Foxglove Beardtongue brings architectural beauty and a splash of ...

Wildflowers
Front Range Beardtongue

Front Range Beardtongue

Penstemon virens

A low-growing treasure of the Rockies, the Front Range Beardtongue transforms the foothills into a sea of sapphire ev...

Wildflowers
Frying Pans

Frying Pans

Eschscholzia lobbii

Meet the Frying Pans, a petite and cheerful California native that turns sun-drenched foothills into a golden mosaic ...

Wildflowers
great blue lobelia

great blue lobelia

Lobelia siphilitica

A stunning late-summer standout, the Great Blue Lobelia transforms damp garden corners into a sea of electric blue. T...

Wildflowers
greater bird's-foot-trefoil

greater bird's-foot-trefoil

Lotus pedunculatus

A golden beacon of the marshlands, the greater bird's-foot-trefoil is a vital wetland survivor. Its hollow stems and ...

Wildflowers
Greater Chickweed

Greater Chickweed

Stellaria neglecta

A delicate star of the woodland floor, the Greater Chickweed is a sign of a healthy, damp backyard ecosystem. With it...

Wildflowers
Greater Knapweed

Greater Knapweed

Centaurea scabiosa

The crown jewel of the chalk downs, Greater Knapweed is a purple powerhouse that fuels the insect world. With its str...

Wildflowers
Greater Yellow-rattle

Greater Yellow-rattle

Rhinanthus serotinus

The 'Meadow Maker' of the plant world, Greater Yellow-rattle is a fascinating hemi-parasite that boosts backyard biod...

Wildflowers
Grinnell's Beardtongue

Grinnell's Beardtongue

Penstemon grinnellii

A stunning California endemic, Grinnell's Beardtongue lights up rocky mountain slopes with its delicate violet blosso...

Wildflowers
hairy beardtongue

hairy beardtongue

Penstemon hirsutus

A resilient beauty of the Eastern meadows, the hairy beardtongue offers delicate lavender blooms and a unique 'fuzzy'...

Wildflowers
Hairy Wood Mint

Hairy Wood Mint

Blephilia hirsuta

A woodland gem with a 'pagoda' of speckled flowers, Hairy Wood Mint is a stunning native perennial that turns any sha...

Wildflowers
Heath Bedstraw

Heath Bedstraw

Galium saxatile

A delicate carpet of stars for the forest floor, Heath Bedstraw transforms acidic heaths into a sea of white every su...

Wildflowers
hedge woundwort

hedge woundwort

Stachys sylvatica

With its striking spikes of royal purple flowers and heart-shaped leaves, the hedge woundwort is a hidden gem of the ...

Wildflowers
Helmet skullcap

Helmet skullcap

Scutellaria integrifolia

A delicate architectural marvel of the eastern meadows, the Helmet skullcap is named for the tiny, cap-like structure...

Wildflowers
henbit deadnettle

henbit deadnettle

Lamium amplexicaule

The purple herald of spring, henbit deadnettle is a vital lifeline for early-season pollinators. Its unique 'clasping...

Wildflowers
hoary vervain

hoary vervain

Verbena stricta

Rugged, radiant, and remarkably resilient, Hoary Vervain is the ultimate summer survivor. Its velvety purple spikes s...

Wildflowers
Hollow Joe-Pye Weed

Hollow Joe-Pye Weed

Eutrochium fistulosum

A towering giant of the late-summer meadow, Hollow Joe-Pye Weed is a skyscraper for pollinators, offering massive dus...

Wildflowers
hookedspur violet

hookedspur violet

Viola adunca

The hookedspur violet is a hardy spring gem that transforms forest floors and meadows into a sea of purple. As a vita...

Wildflowers
hop trefoil

hop trefoil

Trifolium campestre

With its cheerful yellow globes and unique papery texture, hop trefoil is a tiny powerhouse of the meadow. This nitro...

Wildflowers

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