Wildflowers in the spring make me feel happy, make me feel fine! It’s energy, moisture, long, light filled days, endless green fields dotted with delightful colors combined with smells, bees, and memories. Spring!
Flower facts from a couple of our favorite wildflowers:
Beargrass (xerophyllum tenax)
- Looks like a tall grass, but belongs to the lily family
- It can grow to be 6 feet tall and tends to flower in 5-7 year cycles
- It’s fire-resistant and is one of the first plants to grow after a fire
Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja species)
- 22 different species of Indian Paintbrush found in the Montana
- Colors vary from yellow to purple to red
- Not easy to transplant or grow from seed because they draw nutrients from nearby plants (sagebrush and grasses)
Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum)
- Rose family (Rosaceae) and also called old man’s whiskers
- Three bell shaped pinkish flowers per stem
- Likes moist open meadows from prairie to alpine
Bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva)
- Montana state flower
- Each flower has between 12-16 rose or pink rounded or pointed petals
- It grows low to the ground in shallow, rocky, dry soils
- Short blooming season from mid-May to June
Beargrass
Prarie Smoke
Indian Paintbrush
Wild Rose
Beargrass
Pasqueflower
Bella Treks 